- The white primary was used by southern whites to keep African-Americans from voting in the Democratic primary elections.
- Due to the fact that Georgia was a one-party state at the time, the Democratic primary was essentially the election, thus keeping African-Americans from truly voting.
- In 1944, several African-Americans, led by Dr. Thomas Brewer and Primus E. King, a barber and minister, attempted to vote in the white primary in Columbus, Georgia.
- King was told that he could not vote and forcefully removed from the court house.
- In 1945, Brewer, King, and several other African-American sued the state.
- In the court case King v. Chapman, the federal district court ruled in favor of King and said the white primary was unconstitutional.