Supreme Court Hears Louisiana Vote Case
Press Release
November 20, 1963

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Press Releases, Loose Pages. Supreme Court Hears Louisiana Vote Case, 1963. 6b78f65a-bd92-ee11-be37-6045bddb811f. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/1dde5b3c-90cf-4239-ac5d-c1cae60f588d/supreme-court-hears-louisiana-vote-case. Accessed April 22, 2025.
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PRESS RELEASE NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND TOCOLUMBUS CIRCLE + NEW YORK19,N.Y. © JUdson 6-8397 DR. ALLAN KNIGHT CHALMERS JACK GREENBERG CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY President Director-Counsel Associate Counsel FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, November 20th * OR Thursday, November 21st * SUPREME COURT HEARS LOUISIANA VOTE CASE WASHINGTON, D.C,---The U.S. Supreme Court was asked today to strike down a Louisiana law requiring publication of the race, on nomination papers or the ballot, of each candidate for public office. Jack Greenberg, Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund, pointed out in the brief that "the statute unconstitutionally makes racial discrimination possible and encourages the practice." (The high court will hear a half hour of argument from each side Wednesday, November 20th or Thursday, November 2lst, depending on the pace of previous proceedings.) * Louisiana is "requiring disclosure of information with no bona fide public purpose, much less a compelling interest," the Legal Defense Fund brief states. James M, Nabrit, III was of counsel to Mr. Greenberg during the argument. He too is an attorney for the Fund. Taking the point a step further, the brief states that Louisiana's constitution limits Negro participation in community life just as much as the more obvious forms of discrimination and physical segregation. The evil of the practice is spelled out by the fact that “designation as a Negro (in Louisiana) identifies the candidate with a group that is...by state policy, unfit for office." Louisiana, the Legal Defense Fund brief shows: "has selected a single, highly prejudicial factor for universal publication. This denies the individual the liberty to seek office and campaign according to his own estimate of effective campaign tactics." The case is being argued on behalf of Dupuy H. Anderson and Acie J. Belton, Negro citizens of East Baton Rouge parish. Both were candidates for nomination to the school board in their home parish in the Democratic party primary election held June 8, 1962. Wade O, Martin, secretary of state, who is charged with enforce- ment of the law in question, is named as defendant in the Legal Defense Fund complaint. Joining Greenberg and Nabrit, in preparation of the case, were: Attorneys Johnnie A, Jones, Baton Rouge; Murphy W. Bell, Bruce A. Bell, Leonard P. Avery, Samuel Dickens and Wilmon L. Richardson, all of Baton Rouge. Michael Meltsner, Norman C, Amaker and Frank H. Heffron, of the Fund's New York City headquarters, were of counsel. eeclaes