In general, the Commission found that those counties having 15 percent or more Spanish surname residents in States using literacy tests lag behind statewide registration levels of similar counties in States not using these tests. For example, in Costilla, Colorado, where literacy tests are not used, with 72.6 percent Spanish-speaking people, voter registration was approximately 18 percent above statewide registration. However, in Imperial, California, which has 33.1 percent Spanish-speaking residents and where literacy tests are required, voter registration was approximately 32 percent below statewide registration. As indicated in table 2, many instances of this can be seen in comparisons between other counties with a high concentration of Spanish surname persons, and the same principle applies to those counties having a large percentage of nonwhite population (see table 3).

To further isolate statistics to determine the impact of literacy tests, reasons for not registering were tabulated and evaluated (table 4). The reasons fell within three categories: "Did not satisfy the citizenship requirement"; "Was not interested or was unable to register"; or "Other reasons", including "Did not know or did not report". This information, analyzed on the bases of race and level of education, shows a dramatic difference between States with and those without literacy tests in the category of "Was not interested or was unable to register." Over 27 percent of the Negro voting age population with 8 years or less of schooling in States with literacy requirements cited this particular reason for failing to register. In those States without literacy tests, only 15 percent indicated that they were unable to register or were not interested. Overall percentage in this category for white and Negro registrants having 9 or more

years of education decreases but States using literacy tests had the highest amount of Negroes listing this same reason for nonregistration.

Interviews conducted with persons knowledgeable about the problems of voter registration in the North and West corroborated the view that literacy tests are a deterrent to minority registration. Many persons interviewed expressed the idea that fear of literacy tests may be a more serious obstacle than the tests themselves, particularly for persons whose native tongue is not English. In fact, some Mexican Americans in California, Wyoming, and Washington State have expressed a feeling of being intimidated by literacy tests. They feel that they are used especially for them.

There are many who would point to other existing factors which may have influenced voter registration and turn-out levels in the 35 States studied. Since 11 of the 13 States using literacy tests are located on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, and are most traditionally ports-of-entry for immigrants, they may have a larger portion of noncitizens and persons unfamiliar with the English language. The 22 States not requiring literacy tests are located in the Midwest and the Rocky Mountains and include the major agricultural States outside of the South. Few have received large numbers of foreign immigrants, at least since the mid-19th century.

These limitations may have significant effects on voter participation in these States. However, the data clearly show a negative correlation between literacy tests and voter registration and turn-out levels for the general population and particularly for minority group members.