What was the purpose of a poll tax?

1 answer

The purpose of a poll tax was to impose a fee or tax on individuals in order to exercise their right to vote. Historically, poll taxes were used as a means to disenfranchise certain groups of people, particularly African Americans in the United States. These taxes were often set at a fixed amount that was difficult for low-income individuals to pay, effectively preventing them from voting. The poll tax was widely criticized as a form of voter suppression and was eventually abolished through various legal and civil rights efforts.