What is the main purpose of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment?

Study for the High School Constitution Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The main purpose of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment is to eliminate the requirement of a poll tax in federal elections. Ratified in 1964, this amendment was designed to remove a financial barrier that was historically used to disenfranchise voters, particularly African Americans and poor people. The requirement of a poll tax meant that individuals had to pay a fee in order to vote, which effectively restricted access to the electoral process for many citizens based on their economic status.

By abolishing the poll tax, the Twenty-Fourth Amendment significantly advanced the cause of voting rights and aimed to ensure that the right to vote could not be denied based on one's inability to pay. This move was a crucial step in the wider civil rights movement, which sought to eliminate various forms of discrimination in voting and promote equal participation in the democratic process.

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