The Omaha guide., 1944-04-15

that the next step, following the
sweeping 8 to / decision of the SUI
preme Court April 8, outlawing
white primaries in Texas, will be the
registration of qualified Negro vot-
erS.
In some states Of the Deep South
it will be difficult for many Negroes
to vote in the primaries this year Ell
Their because registration periods have
closed or because the deadline for pay
ment of poll taxes is passed. In
most states there will be another per-
iol for the payment of poll taxes, but
hat will come after the primaries and
before the general elections.
However, the NAACP announced
here this week hat there is still time
to test the new ruling on a wideJ
scale in Georgia and Louisiana.
In Georgia the last date for regis
tration of voters is May Z and the
last date for the payment of poll tax
es IS May 8. The poll tax is 81 per
year and is cumulative. That is, a
voter who is 80 years old and has
never voted will have to pay 50. The
date Of the primary is July a.
In Louisiana there is no poll tax,
the registration deadline is August 10
and the primaries will be held Sept
ember 12.
In Texas the primary will be held
July %, but only those Negroes will
be able to vote in the primary who
paid their poll tax of $1.75 on or be-
fore February 1.
IN South Carolina, the registration
deadline is July 30, but in certain
counties, with $4,000 population il is
August Is, the last date for the pay
ment of poll taesx was February %
and the primaries are on August 20.
The poll tax is 81 and is not cunui-
alive.
In Mississippi there does not ap-
pear to be much chance since the date
for registration is said to have pass
ed, but the primary will not be held
until July II. The poll tax is 81
highest in the Southland is cumul-
alive for two years only.
In Arkansas there is no regiStra-
ton date and no deadline for poll tax
es, which can be paid at any time.
These are 81 per year, are not cum
u~lative, but a ST fine is assessed for
delinquent payment. The primary
will be held August s.
In Alabama there seems to be less
chance than in any other state with
the exception of Mississippi. 1t
would appear that only those few
Negro voters who are now on the
list have paid their poll taxes will be
able to try to vote in the primary to
be held May 2. The poll tax is 1.5O.
per year and is cumulative.
The NAACP announced that its
branches throughout Texas have re-
ported a heavy increase in the pay
ment of poll taxes by Negroes in n
ticipation of a victory in the supreme
court
1--WE do not know exactly what
methods will be used by southern
states in their attempt to nullify the
supreme court decision" said Roy
Wilkins, acting secretary, but judg-
ing by the outcries of Southerners we
can be sure that many tricks will be.
employed such as fantastic education
al tests and even intimidation by
force and threats of force.
However, our people in the South
have shown a quiet determination to
exercise their rights now thai the SUI
preme court has clarified the issue.
In Georgia, our people will present
themselves for registration and on
primary election day, II they are
refused an opportunity to participate
they expect to bring action immed-
lately in the Federal courts. The
i,NAACP has been spear-heading the
legal battle on the white primary
since 1924 and we do not intend to a.
bandon the fight until all qualified
voters exercise their rights in the pri-
mary elections"
Thurgood Marshall, NAACP spec
ial counsel issued a statement saying :
we have made a thorough study OF
the voting laws Of the several states
in the South. We have also made a
survey Of the different practices
whereby Negroes are prevented from
registering and or voting in many OF
the Southern states. We are making
every effort to see that the laws Of
the United States, as interpreted by
he United States Supreme Court
will be enforced this year.
Earlier decisions in the Supreme
Court have outlawed discrimination,
registration practices. Today's deci!
ion BY the Supreme Court re-estab-
fishes the right of qualified Negro
electors to vote in primary elections
This decision moves a long way to
ward giving meaning to the purpose
for which this war is being fought"