Voting Rights History Throughout the Year: The Twenty-Fourth Amendment

The Twenty-Fourth Amendment, ratified January 23, 1964, outlawed the poll tax in federal elections.

The primary intent of poll taxes, which were levied in some states from the 1890s to the 1960s, was to disenfranchise Black voters.

After the 24th Amendment, some states continued to impose poll taxes in state and local elections, until the Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional in 1966.

• Smithsonian National Museum of American History article about Jim Crow laws, including poll taxes
• National Constitution Center article about the 24th Amendment
• Teaching Tolerance "The Lessons of 1964" article
• New York Times article from January 24, 1964, reporting about the ratification of the 24th Amendment
• Zinn Education Project article about the 1966 Supreme Court ruling that banned poll taxes in state and local elections

This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that will highlight some of the people and events of voting rights history. Links provide an opportunity for students and teachers to explore and learn more.