Essay On Slavery In Texas

Words: 1376
Pages: 6

In the nineteenth century African Americans and Latinos faced numerous obstacles that limited their participation in the political life of the state. Slavery in Texas kept growing and slave population became approximately one-third of Texas. On June 19, 1865 slaves were emancipated but still far from having equality. Though they were free the state created black codes that still restricted them for being completely free. They were compelled by jobs that offered low pay and hard working conditions and since education wasn’t offered to them, many were illiterate therefore were not allowed to participate in voting. Military occupation and congressional reconstruction opened up new opportunities for former slaves, who supported the radical wing …show more content…
Many Republicans believe that it’s necessary in order to prevent voter fraud. Democrats, in contrast, have argued that evidence of voter fraud is minimal and that the law will make it harder for low-income persons, students, and the elderly to vote. In Jim Wright’s case he didn’t have a valid driver’s license so he brought another form of identification in this case his work ID and his expired driver’s license. That wasn’t enough and he was turned down. Many people don’t have a valid driver’s license or their name doesn’t match their driver’s license due to marriage or divorce. Professor Keith Bentele and Erin O’Brien wrote “Such laws may do little to suppress routine voters, but may serve to reduce participation among the eligible unregistered population who are much more likely to lack basic forms of required identification.” Some people see this is discrimination and goes against the 15th amendment. In August 2015, a three-judge 5th Circuit panel ruled that the law did have a “discriminatory effect,” in violation of the Voting Rights Act. There were many court cases that either defended the law or were fighting against it; Texas v. Holder, Veasey v. Abbott (previously v. Rick Perry et al.) , U.S.A. v. Texas , Texas NAACP Branches v. Steen and Meyers v.