Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution facts for kids
The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is an important change, or amendment, to the rules that govern the United States. It stops the government from charging a special fee, called a poll tax, to people who want to vote in federal elections. This amendment was suggested by Congress in 1962 and became a part of the Constitution in 1964.
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What is the 24th Amendment?
This amendment makes sure that every citizen has the right to vote without paying money. Before this amendment, some states used poll taxes. These taxes made it hard for many people, especially those who were poor, to vote. The 24th Amendment helped make voting fair for everyone.
Why was the 24th Amendment needed?
The Problem with Poll Taxes
For a long time, some states in the U.S. used poll taxes. These were fees that people had to pay to be able to vote. If you couldn't pay the tax, you couldn't vote. This rule often stopped poor people and minority groups from voting. It was a way to limit who could participate in elections.
Making Voting Fair
Many people believed that poll taxes were unfair. They thought that voting should be a right for all citizens, not just those who could afford to pay. Civil rights leaders and groups worked hard to end these taxes. They wanted to make sure that everyone had an equal chance to vote for their leaders. The 24th Amendment was a big step towards making voting truly democratic.
What the Amendment Says
The 24th Amendment has two main parts, called sections.
Section 1: No More Poll Taxes
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 poll tax or other tax.
This section clearly states that no one can be stopped from voting in federal elections because they haven't paid a poll tax or any other tax. This applies to elections for President, Vice President, and members of Congress (Senators and Representatives). It means the U.S. government and individual states cannot use taxes to prevent people from voting.
Section 2: Congress Can Enforce It
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
This section gives Congress the power to create laws to make sure the first section is followed. This means Congress can pass rules to stop any state or group from trying to bring back poll taxes or similar fees for voting in federal elections.
When did it happen?
The idea for the 24th Amendment was first suggested by Congress on August 27, 1962. For an amendment to become part of the Constitution, a certain number of states must agree to it. This process is called ratification. The states officially agreed to the 24th Amendment on January 23, 1964. This was a big moment for civil rights in the United States.
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In Spanish: Vigesimocuarta Enmienda a la Constitución de los Estados Unidos para niños