What is the significance of the 15th Amendment in relation to federal and state law?

The significance of the 15th Amendment lies in its explicit protection of the voting rights of citizens, ensuring that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged by the federal government or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment was ratified in 1870 as part of the Reconstruction Amendments aimed at securing rights for newly freed slaves and addressing racial discrimination in the voting process.

By establishing a constitutional right to vote, the 15th Amendment serves as a crucial check on state laws that might otherwise attempt to limit the voting rights of citizens based on race or ethnicity. It empowers citizens to challenge discriminatory practices that could undermine their right to participate in elections and influence governance.

In contrast, other choices do not accurately represent the intent and impact of the 15th Amendment. For example, limiting state laws affecting civil liberties encompasses a broader scope than just voting rights and does not directly reflect the specific protections guaranteed by the amendment. Allowing states to restrict voting rights contradicts the very purpose of the amendment, which is to safeguard against such restrictions. Finally, the 15th Amendment does not eliminate states' powers over voting; rather, it sets a federal standard that state laws must comply with regarding