Woodrow Wilson · 1913-1921 term
Myers v. Anderson invalidates Maryland's grandfather-clause voting law
In Myers v. Anderson, the Supreme Court held that Maryland's grandfather-clause voting law was unconstitutional under the Fifteenth Amendment and affirmed that election officials who denied registration under that law could be liable for damages in a civil action.
Latest reviewed action recorded: Jun 21, 1915
Record Note
Structured historical court-decision import. Sources are attached only to action and outcome records.
Original Promise
In Myers v. Anderson, the Supreme Court held that Maryland's grandfather-clause voting law was unconstitutional under the Fifteenth Amendment and affirmed that election officials who denied registration under that law could be liable for damages in a civil action.
Action Timeline
Actions document what the federal government did. Outcomes below describe what changed, and each source list shows where the public record comes from.
Jun 21, 1915
Supreme Court decides Myers v. Anderson
The Supreme Court held that Maryland could not use a grandfather-clause voting standard tied to pre-Fifteenth Amendment eligibility and affirmed that election officials who denied registration under that unconstitutional standard could be subject to damages liability.
Outcomes
Outcomes are the part of the record that can contribute to public scoring. They stay visible here with impact direction and linked sources so readers can verify what shaped the record.
Voting Outcome
The Supreme Court invalidated Maryland's grandfather-clause voting law and affirmed that damages actions could proceed against election officials who enforced it.
Measured or documented impact: The decision invalidated Maryland's grandfather-clause voting provision and affirmed the availability of damages actions against election officials who enforced it.
Black community impact: The ruling removed one grandfather-clause barrier to Black voting and recognized a civil remedy against officials who enforced it, though broader disfranchisement mechanisms remained in use elsewhere.
Evidence strength: Strong
Linked sources: 2
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