Prior to 24th amendment the citizens had to pay fee to vote in national election. The fee was collected as poll tax. It was abolished by ratifying the 24th amendment, it prohibited both state and federal government from charging any poll tax in the elections. Congress proposed it to the states on August 27, 1962 and the states ratified it on January 23, 1964.
The poll tax was first levied by the southern states in the 1800's. Although 15th amendment gave the former slaves right to vote the blacks were not able to vote as they did not had enough money.
