24th AMENDMENT

BACKGROUND

• Poll taxes were used to keep low-income out
• Only a few states had poll tax in the early 1960
• Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas.

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WHAT IS IT?

• Abolition of poll taxes
• Citizens of the United States to vote in any election
• Shall not be denied by the United States
• The Congress has power to enforce this article

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WHY?

• To provide civil rights to all
• Equality of all citizens

WHEN?

• Aug of 1962 House passed the Amendment
• January 23, 1964 became part of constitution
• South Dakota ratified

COURT CASES

• Coronado v. Napolitano
• challenged the Arizona statutory provision
• paid any court-ordered fees, fines, or restitution
• Arizona ruled in defendants’ favor,

COURT CASE CONT.

• The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• challenged law as an impermissible poll tax in violation of the 24th
• Ninth Circuit affirmed the District Court decision

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