Today in History: 24th Amendment Ends Poll Tax


Today in History–January 23–the Library of Congress features the 24th amendment, ratified on this day in 1964. This constitutional amendment barred the poll tax which, up until this time, required voters in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Virginia to pay in order to vote in a national election. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links to related resources below.

Poll tax images

Rhode Island’s 1790 declaration that no capitation or poll tax shall ever be laid by Congress

Poll tax historical newspaper coverage

Colored Men Need to Pay Poll Tax in Order to Vote [from newspaper]

Mr. Trout speaks about the poll tax and more

The 24th Amendment Ended the Poll Tax from America’s Library

Primary Source Spotlight: U.S. Constitution primary source collections & teaching resources