Reading and writing test for office
Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term
No person shall [have the right to vote, or] be eligible to office under the constitution of this commonwealth, who shall not be able to read the constitution in the English language, and write his name: -- provided, however, that the provisions of this amendment shall not apply to any person prevented by a physical disability from complying with its requisitions, nor to any person who now has the right to vote, nor to any persons who shall be sixty years of age or upwards at the time this amendment shall take effect.
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [See Amendments, Arts. III, XXIII, XXVI, XXVIII, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XL, XLV and LXXVI.]
Simplified explanation
No person shall be eligible to office who cannot read the constitution in English and write his name, except persons with a physical disability, persons then entitled to vote, and persons then sixty or older. Bracketed wording on voting is printed as superseded.