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| grand·fa·ther clause (plural grand·fa·ther claus·es) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. voting rights clause: a clause in some Southern U.S. states' constitutions, subsequently declared unconstitutional, that waived electoral literacy requirements for descendants of those allowed to vote before 1867. In effect it enabled illiterate white people to vote, while excluding illiterate black people.
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2. exempting clause: a clause in prohibitive legislation that makes exceptions for those already engaged in the activity that it bans or regulates
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