Voting Rights: A Catch-22

The historical struggle for voting rights reveals systemic barriers faced by black citizens, exemplified by the case of Jackson Giles in 1902. Despite meeting all legal criteria—including literacy, property ownership, and poll tax payment—Giles was denied the right to vote, highlighting the ongoing challenges to access voting. The Supreme Court's ruling illustrated a profound contradiction, where the court refused to acknowledge Giles' claims without addressing the underlying constitutional violations he cited. This moment emphasized the need for legislative advocacy over judicial remedy in combating disenfranchisement.