Document: 380 U.S. 145 85 S.Ct. 817 13 L.Ed.2d 709 LOUISIANA et al., Appellants,v.UNITED STATES. No. 67. Argued Jan. 26 and 27, 1965. Decided March 8, [Syllabus from pages 145-146 intentionally omitted] Harry J. Kron, Jr., Baton Rouge La., for appellants. Louis F. Claiborne, Washington, D.C., appellee. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Pursuant to authority granted in 42 U.S.C. § 1971(c) (1958 ed., Supp. V), Attorney General brought this action on behalf United States District Court Eastern Louisiana against State Louisiana, three members Board Registration, Director-Secretary Board. The complaint charged that defendants by following enforcing unconstitutional state laws had been denying unless restrained court would continue deny Negro citizens right vote, violation 1971(a) ed.)1 Fourteenth Fifteenth Amendments Constitution. case was tried after submission evidence,2 three-judge Court, convened pursuant 28 2281 ed.), gave judgment States. 225 F.Supp. 353. other appealed, we noted probable jurisdiction. 377 987, 84 1916, 12 1042. 2 alleged, found, beginning with adoption Constitution 1898, when approximately 44% all registered voters were Negroes, put into effect a successful policy vote because their race. 1898 constitution adopted what known as 'grandfather clause,' which imposed burdensome requirements registration thereafter but exempted these future any person who entitled before January 1, 1867, or son grandson such person.3 Such transparent expedient disfranchising whose ancestors slaves until 1863 not 1867,4 held 1915 Amendment, involving similar Oklahoma constitutional provision. Guinn v. States, 238 347, 35 926, 59 L.Ed. 1340. Soon decision 1921, new replacing repudiated clause' calls an 'interpretation test,' required applicant be able 'give reasonable interpretation' clause States.5 From 1921 interpretation test 1944, Court's stated, percentage Negroes never exceeded one percent. Prior 1944 interest voting slight, largely State's white primary law kept Democratic Party election, only election mattered political climate State. In however, invalidated substantially identical Texas,6 explicit statutory bar removed generally heightened interest, increasing numbers began register Louisiana. system so effective barring test' disfranching devise ignored over years. Many registrars continued ignore it next dozen years proportion votes rose two-tenths percent 15% 1956. This fact, coupled 1954 invalidation requiring school segregation,7 prompted try devices keep control. Legislature created committee became 'Segregation Committee' seek means accomplishing goal. chairman also helped organize semiprivate group called Association Citizens Councils, acted close cooperation legislative preserve supremacy. Councils set up programs, parish attend, instruct how promote wholesale challenging names already rolls, result thousands virtually no whites, purged rolls voters. Beginning middle 1950's at least 21 parishes apply test. 1960 amended require every 'be understand' well section Federal 'when read him registrar.'8 Registration Segregation Committee issued orders must strictly comply provisions. 3 test, vested uncontrolled discretion should not. Under statutes provisions registrars, without objective standard guide them, determine manner is given, whether oral written, length complexity sections understood interpreted, considered correct. There ample evidence support finding where found have used exercised broad powers deprive otherwise qualified vote; existence hurdle voter qualification has itself deterred will deter attempting 4 Because unlimited voters, applied race, invalid its face applied, 1971(a).9 enjoined use State, respect newly enacted 'citizenship' did repeal validity challenged suit, reregistration those ordered, there passed same I. 5 We day Mississippi, 128, 808, power bring suit officials protect rights guaranteed Amendments.10 can doubt amply justified Louisiana's written part plan vote. device discrimination little if less than supra, 50 ago, seemed leaders much preferable way assuring Governor stated he believed solved problem keeping 'in more upright manly fashion'11 method previously Mississippi South Carolina, left applicants 'largely arbitrary officers administering law.'12 A delegate Constitutional Convention criticized 'arbitrary power, lodged officer, practically places his beyond pale judicial review; enfranchise disfranchise own sweet pleasure let hindrance,'13 6 But Louisianans later generation place just hands phenomenal success admits establishing 'vest qualifications registration' while imposing 'no definite standards upon administration test.' And 'Louisiana * provides whereby capricious may prevented redressed.'14 facing registrar thus compelled leave fate official's applicant's understanding satisfactory. As showed, colored people, even some most advanced education scholarship, declared unsatisfactory trap, sufficient stop brilliant man booth. cherished people country like ours cannot obliterated this, citizen passing whim impulse individual registrar. our cases pointed out invalidity completely devoid restraints. See, e.g., L. Cohen Grocery Co., 255 81, 41 298, 65 516. Squarely point Schnell Davis, 336 933, 69 749, 93 1093, affirming 81 872 (D.C.S.D.Ala.), affirmed district striking down Alabama provision restricting persons could 'understand explain article States' satisfaction registrars. likewise affirm here holding satisfy ability give section' violate agree specifically conflicts prohibitions race both Amendment subject given under laws. II. 7 leaves consideration decree. bear mind merely duty render decree far possible eliminate discriminatory effects past future. Little objection raised propriety injunction further stood time begun, discussion 8 Appellants' chief argument concerns voter-qualification August 1962, statute15 subsequent amendment16 filed. says uniform, objective, standardized administered prospective alike. it, according 'required indiscriminately draw ten cards. Each card six multiple choice questions, four answer correctly.' Confining allegations complaint, pass take formulating decree.17 greatly reduced potential compared whites. Most permitted rigorous terms applications rejected. Since does provide accepted affect registered, disturb eligibility allowed practices doing so. parishes, increasing, number decreased 25,361 10,351. circumstances think quite that, met age residence during used, postponed old ordered complete alike none. Cf. Duke, 332 F.2d 759, 769—770 (C.A.5th Cir.). 9 It certainly appropriate exercise order reports made month concerning might informed really abandoned good faith. need eradicate evil prevent continuation repetition shown deeply engrained laws, policies, traditions entering retaining jurisdiction entire hear enter justice require. 10 Affirmed. 11 HARLAN considers conclusions reached properly based Amendment. respects, fully subscribes opinion. 'All are Territory, district, county, city, parish, township, municipality, territorial subdivision, shall elections, distinction color, previous condition servitude; constitution, law, custom, usage, regulation authority, contrary notwithstanding.' 16 Stat. 140, ed.). appellants present evidence. By stipulation Government's presented form. La.Const.1898, Art. 197, 5. See Eaton, Suffrage Clause New Harv.L.Rev. 279. 1868 first La.Const.1868, 98. La.Const.1921, VIII, §§ 1(c), 1(d), LSA. Smith Allwright, 321 649, 64 757, 88 987. Brown Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 873. La.Acts 1960, 613, amending La.Const. implemented LSA—Rev.Stat. 18:36. requirement 'to 'read registrar' illiterates. 1(d); compare id., 1(c). 'Although vote-abridging purpose (interpretation) per se vices cured enjoining unfair application.' F.Supp., 391—392. argued they 'mere conduits,' enforce requirements. supervise prescribe rules regulations follow applying it. LSA Rev.Stat. 18:191, subd. A; 18. statute directed fashion administer remove office 'at will.' defendants. Compare 141—142, 815. merit indispensable parties. personal outcome bound directions Registration. Senate Journal, p. 33. Ibid. Kernan, Work, Proceedings Bar 1898—1899, pp. 59—60. 14 384. 15 62, A. 539, 17 Like express constitutionality Any question reserved. That pleading. said 'we repeat touch citizenship voting.' 397. Solicitor challenge either briefs argument, instead recognized issue us case. attorney Government pending lower procedures 'under regime,' i.e., employed said, 'is simply proceeding it.'

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