Operation Eagle Eye (United States)
Encyclopedia
Operation Eagle Eye was a Republican Party
operation in the 1960s in Arizona
to challenge minority voters. In the United States only citizens have ever been able to vote, and in 1964 only literate citizens could vote, so it was legal to ensure that (1) a potential voter was literate, and (2) a potential voter was a United States Citizen. Through the employment of literacy tests, oral demands to interpret the United States Constitution
and detailed questions about a potential voter's origins and how long the potential voter had been in the United States. Republican workers would challenge minority voters, especially those with broken English. William Rehnquist
, later chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
is said to have "directed the voter harassment teams". Operation Eagle Eye was a two year effort, and the laws in Arizona have since made this kind of challenge illegal.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
operation in the 1960s in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
to challenge minority voters. In the United States only citizens have ever been able to vote, and in 1964 only literate citizens could vote, so it was legal to ensure that (1) a potential voter was literate, and (2) a potential voter was a United States Citizen. Through the employment of literacy tests, oral demands to interpret the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
and detailed questions about a potential voter's origins and how long the potential voter had been in the United States. Republican workers would challenge minority voters, especially those with broken English. William Rehnquist
William Rehnquist
William Hubbs Rehnquist was an American lawyer, jurist, and political figure who served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States and later as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States...
, later chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
is said to have "directed the voter harassment teams". Operation Eagle Eye was a two year effort, and the laws in Arizona have since made this kind of challenge illegal.