What is a poll tax?

• A. A tax placed on voting people. Done to prevent African-Americans from voting.
• B. A tax on property to fund roads.
• C. A fee required to register to vote.
• D. A tax paid by poll workers.

Answer: (A)

A poll tax is a fee that a person must pay in order to vote. In U.S. history, these taxes were used in some Southern states to make voting financially difficult for African Americans and other opponents, effectively suppressing turnout. That makes the option describing a tax placed on voting to prevent certain groups from voting the best fit.

A property tax is charged on land or buildings to fund local services like roads, so that isn’t a poll tax. A fee to register to vote refers to registration, not paying at the polls, and isn’t the same as a poll tax. A tax paid by poll workers isn’t about voters at all, so it doesn’t describe a poll tax either.