Document: 362 U.S. 602 80 S.Ct. 924 4 L.Ed.2d 982 UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.STATE OF ALABAMA et al. No. 398. Argued May 2, 1960. Decided 16, Rehearing Denied June 27, See 363 857, 1608. Solicitor General J. Lee Rankin, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Messrs. Gordon Madison, Montgomery, Ala., and Nicholas S. Hare, Monroeville, respondents. PER CURIAM. 1 Alleging a course racially discriminatory practices calculated to deprive Negro citizens their voting rights in violation the Fifteenth Amendment Constitution United States Part IV Civil Rights Act 1957, 71 Stat. 637, 42 U.S.C. § 1971(a), U.S.C.A. 1971(a),1 States, proceeding under 1971(c), 1971(c),2 brought this action against Board Registrars Macon County, Alabama, two individual respondents as members thereof, declaratory injunctive relief. Thereafter Government amended its complaint so join State Alabama party defendant. 2 The District Court dismissed all defendants. It held (1) that had been sued only Registrars, having law effectively resigned offices they were not suable official capacities; (2) was legal entity; (3) 1957 did authorize State. 171 F.Supp. 720. Appeals, sustaining each these holdings, affirmed. 267 F.2d 808. Because importance issues involved we case here. 361 893, 196, 150. 3 Shortly before heard on 1960, Congress passed bill signed by President 6, has now become law. 74 86. Among other things 601(b) amends 1971(c) expressly authorizing actions such be State.3 Under familiar principles, must decided basis controlling, provisions are applicable litigation. American Steel Foundries v. Tri-City Central Trades Council, 257 184, 201, 72, 75, 66 L.Ed. 189; Hines Davidowitz, 312 52, 60, 61 399, 400, 85 581; see also Reynolds 292 443, 449, 54 800, 803, 78 1353. We hold virtue section jurisdiction entertain In holding do reach, or intimate any view upon, below, merits controversy, defenses, constitutional otherwise, may asserted 5 Accordingly, judgments Appeals will vacated, remanded Middle with instructions reinstate further proceedings consistent opinion. is ordered. 6 Judgments vacated instructions. Section provides: 'The right vote shall denied abridged account race, color, previous condition servitude.' 1971(a) 'All who otherwise qualified at election people State, Territory, district, county, city, parish, township, school municipality, territorial subdivision, entitled allowed elections, without distinction servitude; constitution, law, custom, usage, regulation authority, contrary notwithstanding.' 'Whenever person engaged there reasonable grounds believe about engage act practice which would privilege secured subsection (a) * Attorney institute name civil proper preventive relief, including an application permanent temporary injunction, restraining order, order. hereunder liable costs same private person.' 'Whenever, instituted (42 1971(c)) subdivision thereof alleged have committed constituting deprivation (a), deemed joined defendant and, if, prior institution proceeding, relieved his office no successor assumed office, State.'

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