The 24th Amendment

The Twenty-Fourth Amendment states that as a citizen of the United States you should not have to pay a tax to vote. This amendment worked in granting 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. The tax that the Twenty-Fourth Amendment abolished was called the poll tax. The poll tax was applied on an individual as a prerequisite for voting. One of the main reasons for the poll tax implantation was to discourage African-Americans and poor people from voting. This was used as a mechanism of control and exclusion.

This 24th amendment was needed safeguard equality and human rights. It was needed because the poll tax was keeping certain individuals from voting and for such reason democracy was not being practiced. The voice of some was being silenced. And this proved to be unconstitutional by to the Fourteenth Amendment. It is definitely illogical having to pay to vote for something especially when the votes primarily intention is to grant the opportunity to another person to run one’s own country. Voting is a right, and it is one of the basic elements of a democracy.

The 24th amendment was a step forward in equal rights and you can really see that today. Thanks to the Twenty-fourth Amendment every American citizen can vote regardless of his or her race or financial status. Every American citizen is allowed to vote as long as you are eighteen and registered. This is an example that great things can be achieved. History has been witness of how many people have fought for great causes and have emerged victorious. Which means that hope is never lost. We can definitely make of this world a better place. This amendment and the overall process of achieving it in some way proves that we...