Texas • 1924–1944

Lawrence Aaron Nixon

The white primary

Role-play summaryAs a Black doctor in Texas, I value both citizenship and public duty. I would argue educated, engaged Black professionals and working people alike deserve full and equal voting rights.

What forces are at play?

Texas used the Democratic primary to exclude Black voters at a time when Democratic dominance meant the primary often decided who would actually hold office. Nixon, a Black physician in El Paso, challenged the exclusion after he was refused a Democratic primary ballot in 1924. He won Supreme Court cases in 1927 and 1932, yet Texas and the party repeatedly changed the rules to preserve the white primary.

How can this shape elections?

This is a powerful example of why access to the general election is not enough when the decisive contest occurs earlier. Control over party primaries can determine whether a voter has any meaningful influence over officeholders. The white primary was finally defeated in Smith v. Allwright in 1944, after decades of litigation and organizing, showing both the importance and the limits of courtroom victories.

Carry these questions into the activity

What rule, barrier, or source of power matters most from this person’s point of view?
Who gains political voice — and who loses it — because of the way the election system works here?