Question 75

The Fifteenth Amendment prohibits the federal government from denying voting rights based on race.

The Fifteenth Amendment specifically states that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

A) Thirteenth Amendment

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. While it is a crucial amendment in the context of civil rights, it does not address voting rights directly.

B) Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth Amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law but does not specifically focus on voting rights related to race. It provides a broader framework for civil rights but does not prohibit voting discrimination based on race.

C) Fifteenth Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment explicitly prohibits the federal government and states from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race. This amendment was ratified in 1870 and is directly relevant to the question regarding voting rights.

D) Sixteenth Amendment

The Sixteenth Amendment grants Congress the power to impose income taxes without apportioning it among the states. It does not relate to voting rights or any prohibitions against discrimination based on race.

E) Nineteenth Amendment

The Nineteenth Amendment grants women the right to vote, but it does not address race. Therefore, it is not relevant to the question about prohibiting voting rights based on race.

Conclusion

The Fifteenth Amendment is definitively the correct answer as it directly addresses the issue of voting rights and race. The other options either pertain to different aspects of civil rights or do not address voting rights at all, making them incorrect in this context.