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Former slaves have the right to vote
The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. However, this didn't make a huge difference because even though they had the right, many couldn't afford the poll tax that came along with voting. That's where the 24th Amendment comes into play. -
Changes to enforce voting restrictions
In Florida of 1889, all of the former Confederate states, as well as a few more, established a set of changes to voting laws. They introduced literacy tests and didn't allow criminals to vote. -
1937 Supreme Court supports poll tax
In 1937, the United States Supreme Court made the decision in the court case of Breedlove vs Suttles that continued Georgia poll tax. -
Movement to eliminate poll tax
There was a movement that began in Congress to eliminate poll tax as a voting qualification in federal elections by the 1940s. Obviously nothing significant was done until later on. -
Supreme Court rejects another claim
In 1951, the Supreme Court rejected the claim that Virginia's poll tax violated the Equal Protection Clause in the court case of Butler vs Thompson. -
Majority of states discontinue poll tax
In 1962, all of the states, but 5, abandoned the poll tax. The remaining states that still had poll tax in effect were Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia. However, even these states were beginning to be more lenient. -
Proposal of the 24th Amendment
On August 27, 1962, the Congress proposed the 24th Amendment. This amendment would prohibit both the federal and state governments from requiring poll taxes before voting. -
24th Amendment is ratified
The 24th Amendment was ratified on January 23, 1964. South Dakota had ratified it, giving the amendment enough approval from the states to go through to the Constitution. -
Voting Acts right
United States President Lyndon Johnson signs the Voting Acts right into law on August 6, 1965. This act outlawed the discrimination of voting practices that were adopted in many southern states after the Civil War. These practices include literacy tests that were needed to be taken before voting. This act made it easier for everyone to vote. -
Refusal to pay state poll tax
In 1966, in the Harper vs Virginia Board of Electors, a Virginia resident by the name of Annie Harper refused to pay the state poll tax. The Supreme Court extended the prohibition of poll taxes to state elections.