U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What was the purpose of the Grandfather Clause?

1. To enhance the voting rights of all citizens

2. To exempt certain voters from poll taxes or literacy tests

3. To establish stricter voting qualifications for all

4. To improve voter turnout in elections

The correct answer is: To exempt certain voters from poll taxes or literacy tests

The Grandfather Clause was primarily designed to exempt certain voters, particularly white citizens, from the restrictions imposed by poll taxes and literacy tests that were established during the Jim Crow era. These restrictions were intended to suppress the voting rights of African Americans and, in some cases, poor white voters. The Grandfather Clause effectively allowed individuals to bypass these barriers if their grandfathers had been eligible to vote prior to the Civil War, thus creating a legal loophole that benefited some while disenfranchising many others. This discriminatory practice highlighted the systemic racism embedded in the voter registration process at the time, as it reinforced social and economic inequalities while giving an illusion of fairness to those who could claim exemption.