Legal Definitions - Fifteenth Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment is a crucial part of the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870. Its fundamental purpose is to guarantee that the right of U.S. citizens to vote cannot be denied or restricted by any state or the federal government based on a person's race, color, or whether they were previously enslaved. In essence, it prohibits racial discrimination in determining who can vote.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of the Fifteenth Amendment:

• Example 1: Discriminatory State Voting Laws

  Imagine a state legislature in the early 20th century passing a law that explicitly states only individuals identified as "white" are eligible to register and vote in state and local elections. This law would be a direct and clear violation of the Fifteenth Amendment.

  Explanation: The amendment prohibits denying the right to vote based on a person's race or color. Such a law would directly contradict this constitutional guarantee by using racial classification to exclude a segment of the citizenry from participating in elections.

• Example 2: Disenfranchisement of Former Slaves

  Consider a situation immediately after the Civil War where a local election official in a Southern county refuses to allow African American men, who were recently freed from slavery, to register to vote. The official claims that despite their emancipation, their "prior condition of servitude" disqualifies them.

  Explanation: This scenario directly demonstrates the "prior condition of servitude" clause of the Fifteenth Amendment. The amendment was specifically enacted to ensure that individuals who had been enslaved could not be denied the right to vote on that basis, thereby securing their full citizenship rights and political participation.