Civic Literacy Practice Test 2025 - Free Civic Literacy Questions and Study Guide

The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, specifically prohibits the imposition of poll taxes in federal elections. Poll taxes were fees that individuals were required to pay in order to vote, which effectively disenfranchised many low-income individuals and African Americans, particularly in southern states. The amendment emerged in the context of the civil rights movement, reflecting a growing recognition of the need to eliminate barriers to voting.

By abolishing poll taxes in federal elections, the 24th Amendment reinforced the principle that voting is a fundamental right and should not be contingent upon an individual's financial status. This change was a significant step towards ensuring more equitable access to the electoral process and reflected broader efforts to expand voting rights during that era. Other amendments mentioned, such as the 15th, 19th, and 26th, address different aspects of voting rights, including race, gender, and age, but do not specifically tackle the issue of poll taxes.