The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1964, outlawed the poll tax as a prerequisite for voting in federal elections. This meant that citizens could no longer be denied the right to vote simply because they could not afford to pay a fee. Prior to its ratification, poll taxes were used in some states, particularly in the South, as a discriminatory measure to disenfranchise impoverished voters, many of whom were African Americans.
Eliminating the poll tax significantly expanded voting rights and facilitated greater participation in the democratic process for all citizens, regardless of economic status. This amendment played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement, removing a substantial barrier to African American suffrage and empowering marginalized communities to exercise their fundamental right to vote. It marked a critical step towards a more inclusive and equitable electoral system in the United States.
