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Poll Taxes Begin
In 1890, poll taxes began to be instituted in many southern states. Poll taxes were implemented to keep African Americans from voting because they could not afford to pay to vote or even pay the fee to be a registered voter. Poll taxes were hard to regulate because there were no Federal law officials to protect the rights of African Americans to vote. -
Poll Taxes in the Confederacy
During the 1890's, it took a lot of work to make poll taxes mandatory. By 1902, all Confederate States had poll taxes issued. To make matters worse for the poor, they added other requirements such as literacy tests and voter assessments to make sure they were denied the right to vote. -
Breedlove vs. Suttles
A court case known as Breedlove vs. Suttles took place during the year 1937. A 28 year old white male in Georgia refused to pay the poll tax. Although this case determined poll taxes as constitutional, this case also determined that poll taxes were up to the states, not the federal government. This caused further controversy over whether poll taxes really were constitutional or not. -
Legislation Begins
In 1939, Congress began to take action to end poll taxes. Controversy had been building beginning a few years prior over whether poll taxes were constitutional or unconstitutional. Members of Congress argued that poll taxes were unconstitutional under the 14th and 15th Amendments. (14th abolished slavery, 15th gave citizenship to African Americans.) -
Informational Pamphlet
An organization known as the National Committee to Abolish the Poll Tax came out with a pamphlet in 1944. This pamphlet, along with others from other organizations, were published to inform the public that poll taxes deprived U.S. citizens of the right to vote. -
JFK Becomes President
John F. Kennedy was elected into office as the new President of the United States. Prior to his election, there was a dispute about making the ban on poll taxes a bill instead of an amendment. Kennedy decided that it should be an amendment, not just a bill. -
Passed by Congress
On this day, Congress officially proposed a ban on all poll taxes. Three-fourths of the states would need to ratify to make the 24th Amendment a done deal. -
Ratification Begins
Ratification was kicked off and Illinois became the first state to ratify the 24th Amendment. After that, 37 more states followed. South Dakota was the last. Eventually, Virginia (1977), North Carolina (1989), Alabama (2002), and Texas (2009) ratified the Amendment. There are actually still states that need to ratify the amendment if they wish. -
Mississippi Formally Rejects 24th Amendment
While most states were choosing to ratify the 24th Amendment, Mississippi grew furious. They went as far as formally rejecting the amendment in 1962. However, this didn't do anything to benefit them. -
MLKJ Speaks Out
Reverend Martin Luther King Junior wrote to a local newspaper in 1963, speaking out against poll taxes. He wrote, "The poll tax is a great evil, for it puts a price tag on feedom." This got the attention of many people who took quick action by protesting, rioting, petitioning, and proving the poll tax to be unconstitutional. -
Ratification
After being passed by Congress on August 27, 1962, the 24th Amendment was sent to the states for ratification. Three-fouths, or 38 out of 50 states needed to ratify the Amendment. Finally on January 23, 1964, South Dakota became the 38th state to ratify the 24th Amendment. -
President Signs Amendment
Shortly after South Dakota ratified the Amendment, it was sent to the President to be signed into existence. On February 4, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 24th Amendment into existence.
