Which amendment abolished the poll tax in federal elections?

Study for The Bill of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Test with our comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question offers detailed explanations and hints to enhance understanding. Prepare confidently and succeed!

The Twenty-Fourth Amendment abolished the poll tax in federal elections, which was a significant step in the civil rights movement aimed at removing barriers to voting. Poll taxes were fees that individuals were required to pay in order to vote; they disproportionately affected low-income individuals and marginalized groups, primarily African Americans in the South.

The amendment was ratified in 1964 and effectively eliminated this financial barrier, ensuring that the right to vote could not be denied based on a person's ability to pay a tax. The abolition of the poll tax represented a crucial advancement in promoting equal access to the electoral process, emphasizing the principle that voting should be a right accessible to all citizens regardless of economic status.

Other amendments listed in the choices address different aspects of voting and civil rights but do not pertain to the poll tax. The Twenty-Third Amendment relates to voting rights for residents of Washington D.C., the Twenty-Fifth Amendment deals with presidential succession and disability, and the Twenty-Sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. Thus, the Twenty-Fourth Amendment is the correct choice as it specifically targets the abolishment of the poll tax in federal elections.

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