The Ratification of the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution

On January 23, 1964, the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, marking a significant milestone in the American civil rights movement. This amendment prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections, which had been a tool used to disenfranchise African American voters and poor individuals, particularly in the Southern states.

Historical Context

Poll taxes were part of a series of Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans following the Reconstruction era. These taxes required individuals to pay a fee to vote, which disproportionately affected African Americans and poor whites who could not afford to pay. The poll tax was one of several barriers, including literacy tests and understanding clauses, designed to suppress the African American vote.

Key Events Leading to Ratification

• Civil Rights Movement: The push for the 24th Amendment was part of the broader civil rights movement, which sought to dismantle institutionalized racial discrimination and ensure equal voting rights for all citizens.

• Legislative Efforts: The amendment was proposed by Congress on August 27, 1962. It was part of a series of legislative efforts aimed at securing voting rights, including the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960.

• State Ratifications: To become part of the Constitution, the amendment required ratification by three-fourths of the states. By January 23, 1964, the necessary 38 states had ratified the amendment, making it the law of the land.

Text of the 24th Amendment

The 24th Amendment is succinct, comprising two sections:

• Section 1: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.”

• Section 2: “The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

Aftermath and Significance

• Impact on Voting Rights: The ratification of the 24th Amendment was a crucial step in the fight against voter suppression. It eliminated one of the financial barriers to voting, thereby expanding the electorate and strengthening democratic participation.

• Further Legislation: The amendment paved the way for subsequent legislation, most notably the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which addressed other discriminatory practices that restricted voting rights.

• Legal Challenges: Despite the amendment, some states attempted to circumvent its provisions. However, the Supreme Court, in cases such as Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966), reinforced the amendment’s intent by ruling that poll taxes in state elections were unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

The ratification of the 24th Amendment was a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing a commitment to ensuring that the right to vote could not be undermined by economic barriers. It underscored the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the importance of federal intervention in protecting voting rights.