Grovey v. Townsend
This page analyzes a single policy using structured scoring, historical evidence, source quality, and measurable outcomes.
Summary
The Supreme Court upheld the exclusion of Black voters from a Texas Democratic primary by treating the party's action as private rather than state action.
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 decision preserved a central disfranchisement mechanism in the South until the Court reversed course in Smith v. Allwright in 1944.
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
25
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
0
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: A major setback in the fight against white primaries, later overturned.
Metrics
No metrics added yet.
Suggested Relationships
These policies may be related based on shared categories, era, and proximity in time.
1939 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Positive
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 4
1927 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Positive
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 8
1903 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 32
1898 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 37
1896 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 39
1883 • Court Case • Unknown party
Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement • Negative
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 52
1956 • Court Case • Unknown party
Civil Rights Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 21
1957 • Law • Republican Party
Civil Rights Era • Mixed
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 22
Sources
Grovey v. Townsend, 295 U.S. 45 (1935)
Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center • Archive
Published: Apr 1, 1935
Decision text upholding exclusion from a Texas Democratic primary.
View source