Nixon v. Herndon
This page analyzes a single policy using structured scoring, historical evidence, source quality, and measurable outcomes.
Summary
The Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute that explicitly barred Black citizens from voting in Democratic primary elections.
How to Read This Record
Impact Reading
Very high documented impact
Evidence Base
Limited evidence from Archive sources.
Data Completeness
Needs Review record with 1 source and 0 metrics.
Outcome Summary
The ruling was an important but incomplete victory against white primaries, because states and party actors quickly adapted with new exclusion mechanisms.
Categories
Impact Scores
This score is a structured measure of how directly and materially this policy affected Black communities, weighted by evidence, durability, and equity. Harm offset reduces the total score.
Total Impact Score
33
Directness
5
How explicitly the policy targeted or affected Black communities.
Material Impact
4
The practical real-world effect on conditions, rights, or outcomes.
Evidence
5
Strength of sourcing and historical support for the assessment.
Durability
2
How lasting the effects of the policy were over time.
Equity
4
Whether the policy advanced fairness, inclusion, or equal access.
Harm Offset
0
Any offsetting harms, limitations, exclusions, or contradictory effects that reduce the total.
Scoring Notes: An important anti-Jim Crow voting-rights decision with limited durability.
Metrics
No metrics added yet.
Suggested Relationships
These policies may be related based on shared categories, era, and proximity in time.
1935 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 8
1939 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Positive
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 12
1903 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 24
1898 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 29
1896 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 31
1883 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 44
1956 • Court Case • Unknown party
Civil Rights Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 29
1957 • Law • Republican Party
Civil Rights Era • Mixed
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 30
Sources
Nixon v. Herndon, 273 U.S. 536 (1927)
Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center • Archive
Published: Mar 7, 1927
Decision text holding Texas's explicit white-primary statute unconstitutional.
View source