Under the 15th Amendment, which actor cannot prohibit voting on the basis of race?

Under the 15th Amendment, which actor cannot prohibit voting on the basis of race?

• A. Private individuals
• B. The government
• C. Both government and private individuals
• D. None

Answer: (B)

The right to vote cannot be denied by government action on the basis of race. The 15th Amendment directly bars federal and state governments from denying or abridging the right to vote because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. That means official acts, laws, or procedures put in place by the government to exclude someone from voting for racial reasons are unconstitutional. Private individuals aren’t constrained by this amendment in the same way, though other laws may still regulate or prohibit private discrimination in different contexts. So the government is the actor that cannot prohibit voting on racial grounds.

The right to vote cannot be denied by government action on the basis of race. The 15th Amendment directly bars federal and state governments from denying or abridging the right to vote because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. That means official acts, laws, or procedures put in place by the government to exclude someone from voting for racial reasons are unconstitutional. Private individuals aren’t constrained by this amendment in the same way, though other laws may still regulate or prohibit private discrimination in different contexts. So the government is the actor that cannot prohibit voting on racial grounds.