In the 1970 case of Hunter v. Tennessee, the U.S Supreme Court ruled in favor of a black citizen who was denied his right to vote due to an unconstitutional test. The plaintiff, Odell Hunter, had been rejected from voter registration by Fayette County officials on grounds that he failed a so-called "good moral character" test - a requirement not imposed on white citizens. This discriminatory practice violated the Fifteenth Amendment which prohibits racial discrimination in voting rights. The court held that such tests were unconstitutional and ordered immediate cessation of their use for determining eligibility for voter registration. Furthermore, it mandated reevaluation of all individuals previously disqualified under this criterion without delay or obstruction.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Hunter v. Tennessee argued that the majority's decision was inconsistent with previous rulings and principles of federalism. The dissenters believed that the state court should have had jurisdiction over a dispute involving a local tax assessment, rather than it being taken to federal court. They contended that this ruling undermined states' rights and disrupted the balance between state and federal courts by allowing plaintiffs to bypass their own state's judicial system for perceived advantages at the national level. Furthermore, they expressed concern about potential abuse of this precedent by those seeking to evade unfavorable decisions in their home states or manipulate outcomes through forum shopping tactics.