Guinn v. United States (1915)

Untold Stories: The Cases That Shaped the Civil Rights Movement

This episode looks at Guinn v. the United States, which dealt with voting rights and the use of the Grandfather Clause. One year after the state of Oklahoma was adopted into the union, it amended its constitution to require literacy tests for those wishing to register to vote. Oklahoma included a grandfather clause in the law that allowed those who couldn't pass the literacy test to still vote if they were able to vote on or before January 1, 1866, or if one of their ancestors (i.e. grandfather, father, etc.) OR if they or one of their ancestors were a citizen of a foreign nation on or before January 1, 1866. The Supreme Court had to decide if this Grandfather clause was constitutional or violated the 15th Amendment. Twitter: @plaookesworld Instagram: @palookesworld www.palookesworld.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvWkh1FxD-EbUQRAxmou37Q