First. S. 1564 violates the Constitution in that it purports by an act of Congress. under authority of the 15th amendment. to nullify voter qualifications established by the States which are not in conflict with the 15th amendment. The principal "tests or device" imposed by States as a prerequisite to voting which it is the purpose of the bill to nullify are literacy tests. The 15th amendment did not invalidate the imposition by States of literacy as a prerequisite to voting. The Supreme Court as late as 1959 in the case of Lassiter v. North Hampton County Board of Elections. 360 U.S. 45. held that literacy test requirements by the States were constitutionally valid. The Court stated: Literacy and Illiteracy are neutral on race. creed. color. and sex. as reports around the world show. Second.
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