Cause and Reason for the 24th Amendment The cause or reason for this addition to the Constitution was to address the deficiencies of the 15th Amendment by which many Southern states implemented a system of Poll taxes and Literacy tests to prevent poor blacks from voting. Poll taxes were passed by many Southern states as a means of restricting eligible black voters. Poor blacks were not able to pay the Poll tax and therefore could not vote. Literacy tests were also introduced as part of the registration process for voters. People who had not been educated was certain to fail the Literacy test and therefore not be able to vote. Poll taxes were abolished in this change to the Constitution. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 barred the use of literacy tests in all states. 24th Amendment Meaning, Explanation and Summary The meaning of the words and phrases in the 24th Amendment of the Constitution are explained as follows: 24th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Amendment 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. Explanation & Meaning: The United States and each state shall not make people pay a poll tax, or other kind of tax, in order to vote Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Meaning: Congress has the power to make laws to enforce this amendment. 24th Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Twenty-fourth Amendment |