24th Amendment Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the 24th Amendment prohibit?

Censorship of votes

Requiring a poll tax for voting (correct)

Mandatory voting for all citizens

Voting age restrictions

What is the primary purpose of the 24th Amendment?

To prohibit poll taxes in federal elections.

The 24th Amendment allows states to charge a poll tax for voting in federal elections.

False

What power does Congress have regarding the 24th Amendment?

To enforce the article by appropriate legislation. Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the poll tax for the black population?

It made it difficult for the black population to vote. Signup and view all the answers

What is a poll tax?

A tax required to be paid in order to vote. Signup and view all the answers

What did different kinds of poll taxes do?

They accumulated even if no attempt was made to vote. Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Congress begin attempting to abolish the poll tax?

1939 Signup and view all the answers

What was often a requirement for suffrage in colonial times?

Land ownership Signup and view all the answers

On what date was the 24th Amendment ratified?

January 23, 1964 Signup and view all the answers

When was the 24th Amendment proposed?

August 27, 1962 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

24th Amendment Overview

Prohibits states from requiring a poll tax for federal elections, enhancing voter accessibility.
Ratified on January 23, 1964, after being proposed on August 27, 1962.

Poll Tax and Its Impact

Poll taxes served as obstacles to voting, disproportionately affecting lower-income citizens, particularly the black population.
Methods employed to minimize black voter participation included accumulating back-taxes, leading to significant financial burdens for potential voters.
The tax structure favored affluent white citizens, allowing easier access to voting compared to poorer black citizens.

Congress and Enforcement

Congress possesses the authority to legislate the enforcement of the 24th Amendment.
Despite ratification, only a few states maintained poll tax laws, highlighting the challenge in completely abolishing the tax through mere legislation.

Historical Context

The practice of poll taxes has deep roots, originating in European tax systems.
Historical fight for suffrage included land ownership qualifications prior to the widespread removal of such barriers.

Supreme Court Considerations

The Supreme Court's preceding rulings created doubt about whether laws alone could eliminate the poll tax, as only five states still upheld the practice by the time the amendment was ratified.

Description

Test your knowledge of the 24th Amendment with these flashcards. They cover its key points, significance, and implications regarding voting rights without poll taxes. Perfect for students or anyone interested in U.S. constitutional law.