United States v. State of Alabama

RIVES, Circuit Judge:

Congress in enacting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 “directed” the Attorney General to institute suits “against the enforcement of any requirement of the payment of a poll tax as a precondition to voting.” 1 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 included Congress’ specific findings that the poll tax violates the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.2 Pursuant to the direction of Congress, the Attorney General on behalf of the United States here seeks a judgment declaring unconstitutional and enjoining the enforcement of Sections 178 and 194 of the Alabama Constitution and the…