Nixon v. Herndon 273 U.S. 536 (1927)

• Author: Kenneth L. Karst
• Pages: 1819

Page 1819

This decision was the first in a series of "Texas primary cases." Texas law disqualified blacks from voting in Democratic party PRIMARY ELECTIONS. Nixon, refused a ballot under this law, sued election officers for damages under the federal CIVIL RIGHTS laws, asserting a denial of EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAWS under the FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT and a denial of the right to vote on account of race, in violation of the FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT. (See VOTING RIGHTS.) The Supreme Court reversed a dismissal of the action, holding for Nixon on his equal protection claim and not discussing the Fifteenth Amendment. The next case in the series was NIXON V. CONDON (1932).

KENNETH L. KARST

(1986)