Button, Abolish Poll Tax: 100% Democracy, circa 1940

Summary

By 1900, most southern states required citizens to pay a tax to vote. Poll taxes were one way to keep Blacks and many poor whites from voting. Though some states repealed their poll tax laws by 1950, five still clung to them. The passage of the 24th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution in 1964 and subsequent court rulings abolished the discriminatory practice.

By 1900, most southern states required citizens to pay a tax to vote. Poll taxes were one way to keep Blacks and many poor whites from voting. Though some states repealed their poll tax laws by 1950, five still clung to them. The passage of the 24th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution in 1964 and subsequent court rulings abolished the discriminatory practice.

Artifact

Button (Information artifact)

Date Made

circa 1940

Subject Date

circa 1940

Place of Creation

United States 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2005.9.8

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Vutetakis Family

Material

Metal
Paint (Coating)

Dimensions

Diameter: 0.75 in

Inscriptions

front: ABOLISH POLL TAX / 100% DEMOCRACY

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