Suffrage in Texas Expanded (SITE)

Bullock discusses the role of black voting in Texas, the poll tax began in 1845, it was expanded in 1901 with a need for a receipt (370). The author makes a point that suffrage has never been excluded, just made incredibly difficult, however, general, municipal, school board, special elections regarding propositions have been available (370). Terrell in 1909 restricted black votes and in 1922 black Democrat votes were thrown out altogether and voided (371). Major Supreme Court cases are as follows: Chandler v. Neff in 1924 dismissed, Nixon v. Herndon in 1927 ruled Texas could not exclude blacks from voting and Smith v. Allright outlawed the white primary in 1944 (372). Major African American political activity is situated in East Texas. This work is situated within uplift theory and with the aim to increase the low voter turnout. In 1956, many elder African Americans voted in primary, but not run-off due to confusion (potentially fear) about voting a second time (377).

Representative Jordan had success creating more pathways for voting for underrepresented and undocumented and reason for low voter turnout in Texas amongst persons of color.

Jordan gave a speech about her experience and how-to bring balance and equity back to American society.

Representative Jordan’s testimony and support to extend the Voting Rights Act in for those where English was not their first language.

Text of speech delivered by Barbara Jordan in which she testified for the extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. She discusses discriminatory events that occurred before the act came to pass and warns of what could happen if it is allowed to expire. Includes a list of new proposed jurisdictions for coverage under the Act.
Jordan argues that discrimination is still continuing for voters of color and the Voting Rights Act should be extended for full representation.

The Supreme Court ruling overturned Texas poll tax federally, however, it did continue in different forms until 1965.

Testimony from the ACLU discusses how statutes in Texas prevented African Americans from voting in the 1950s (9). From 1975-2019 there has not been any growth for Hispanics within electing congressional seats, it has remained a steady 16% due to gerrymandering (9). As of 2019, there are 300+ cases of voter discrimination in Texas (10). Beaumont, Texas, specifically African Americans could not vote on the school board because the schools were not integrated into the 90’s, despite it being a majority African American area (13). In 1975, of course, there were no black county commissioners and currently there are 30 which counts for the number of rising lawsuits of dissemination (18).

Supreme Court case about voter disenfranchisement regarding voter ID laws in Texas.

Walker discusses the poll tax federally, but regarding the project ⅓ of Texas poll taxes go to state funding and ⅔ to schools (66). The work states the tax is not oppressive, because it is small and investing into schools, but 1.50 was quite a hardship for many workers. Those who were required to pay ranged in age from 21-60, all genders (71). The exceptions were those who were, “Indian, insane or maimed” (71).

List of Houston women from the 1920 Census who paid their poll taxes and voted.

General information about the blank spaces in the history of BIPOC suffrage. Copies of African American women's poll taxes receipts are enclosed from 1920/1923.