Poll taxes were primarily used in Southern states as a means of restricting voting access, particularly to African American citizens and poor white voters. States that implemented poll taxes included Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. The practice was outlawed in federal elections by the 24th Amendment in 1964, and later declared unconstitutional in state elections by the Supreme Court in 1966.
All the southern states
Poll taxes were effectively abolished by the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1964, which prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections. Additionally, in 1966, the Supreme Court case Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections ruled that poll taxes in state elections were unconstitutional. These actions collectively eliminated poll taxes as a barrier to voting in the United States.
The poll tax was proof that tax payments were made. Poll taxes were required in many Southern states in order to vote.
Poll taxes were not meant to keep the poor from voting, although that was a unintended consequence. Poll taxes were used to keep African-Americans from voting. What made the practice especially egregious was the fact that many Southern states passed laws that exempted most whites from paying the poll tax.
The 24th amendment prohibited poll taxes
All the southern states
Low income citizens cannot afford to pay the poll taxes. If they don't pay poll taxes, they can't vote. Incidentally, poll taxes have been outlawed in the United States.
The 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution bars the use of poll taxes. This makes it illegal in all states to use poll taxes and the non-payment of such taxes to keep anyone from voting. The amendment therefore stops any and all use of poll taxes.
Poll taxes were effectively abolished by the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1964, which prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections. Additionally, in 1966, the Supreme Court case Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections ruled that poll taxes in state elections were unconstitutional. These actions collectively eliminated poll taxes as a barrier to voting in the United States.
The poll tax was proof that tax payments were made. Poll taxes were required in many Southern states in order to vote.
Poll taxes.
Poll taxes and literacy tests
The 24th Amendment stated poll taxes could not be used to deny a person the right to vote.
The Twenty-fourth Amendment (Amendment XXIV) prohibits both Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or other types of tax.
Poll taxes were not meant to keep the poor from voting, although that was a unintended consequence. Poll taxes were used to keep African-Americans from voting. What made the practice especially egregious was the fact that many Southern states passed laws that exempted most whites from paying the poll tax.
The 24th amendment prohibited poll taxes
Poll taxes and literacy tests