In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress passed the Reconstruction Amendments to redefine American citizenship and protect the rights of newly freed African Americans. These amendments include the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery; the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law; and the 15th Amendment, which aimed to secure the right to vote regardless of race. Which of the following statements accurately describes a consequence of the 14th and 15th Amendments during the Reconstruction period?