Speech #880190054

In the case of Ventner against Ryder. the opinion of the Court. which was handed down in 1955. read in part as follows: The question of whether or not a voter Is a qualified electorThat means a qualified voteris a State matter to be determined by State law and State courts. Similar wording recognizing the supremacy of the States in establishing voter qualifications is to be found in the case of Darby v. Daniel. 168 F. Supp. 170. in which the Mississippi literacy test was upheld against a challenge on the ground of unconstitutionality. The case of Ex Parte Siebold. 150 U.S. 371. which is relied on to sustain the constitutionality of this proposal. is confined entirely to the subject of regulation of elections under the provisions of article I. section 4. of the Constitution. It contains no discussion of the subject of voter qualifications.