Smith lives in Alabama in 1955. He can read, but does not have any money. Can Smith vote? Explain your answer.
In 1955, Alabama had various strict voting laws, including literacy tests and poll taxes, which were implemented with the intention of suppressing the African American vote. As stated, Smith lives in Alabama and is able to read, but he does not have any money.
Unfortunately, during this time, literacy tests were often designed to disproportionately target and exclude African Americans. Although Smith can read, it is highly likely that he would be subjected to additional requirements, such as interpreting complex or subjective passages, that would inefficiently assess his literacy skills or even disqualify him despite being able to read.
Moreover, the poll tax mandated the payment of a fee to vote, which created a financial barrier for individuals like Smith who did not have any money. This requirement disproportionately affected poor communities, including African Americans, further hindering their ability to exercise their right to vote.
Hence, considering the historical context and the specific circumstances of Smith's situation, it is highly unlikely that he would be able to vote due to the systemic barriers in place during that time period.