Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished the poll tax in federal elections?

The 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished the poll tax in federal elections. Ratified in 1964, this amendment was a significant step in the civil rights movement. Poll taxes had been used primarily in Southern states as a means to restrict voting rights, particularly for African Americans and poor white voters. By eliminating the requirement to pay a tax in order to vote in federal elections, the 24th Amendment aimed to ensure that financial barriers could not disenfranchise citizens.

This amendment reflects the broader context of the 1960s civil rights efforts, where activists sought to eliminate various forms of voter suppression. The passage of the amendment also set a precedent that influenced later legislation, such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to further protect and encourage voter registration and participation among marginalized communities.