1958
Cooper v. Aaron
No. States are bound by the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution, and its decisions cannot be nullified by state officials.
Source: Opinion of the Court
The Twenty-fourth Amendment. Poll taxes
The right to vote in federal elections may not be denied for failure to pay a poll tax or other tax.
VotingProposed 1962Ratified January 23, 1964
- What it does
- The right to vote in federal elections may not be denied for failure to pay a poll tax or other tax.
- Time to ratify
- 2 years from proposal to ratification.
- Era
- Civil rights and Vietnam (1960–1974)
Around 1964. What else was in the record.
Decisions and events within six years of ratification.
1961
1962
Baker v. Carr
Yes. Apportionment claims under the Equal Protection Clause can be decided by the courts.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1962
Engel v. Vitale
No. A state-composed school prayer violates the Establishment Clause, even if participation is voluntary.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1963
Gideon v. Wainwright
Yes. The right to counsel is fundamental and applies to the states.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1964
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
No. A public official must prove “actual malice”: knowledge that the statement was false, or reckless disregard for whether it was.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1964
Reynolds v. Sims
Yes. Equal protection requires districts of substantially equal population: one person, one vote.
Source: Opinion of the Court
1964
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States
Yes. The public accommodations title of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a valid exercise of the commerce power.
Source: Opinion of the Court