What amendment prohibits any poll tax in elections for federal officials?

The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections. Ratified in 1964, this amendment aimed to eliminate barriers that were used to suppress voter participation, particularly among low-income individuals and minority groups. By banning poll taxes, it ensured that the ability to vote could not be conditioned on the payment of a fee, which had been used in various states as a means of disenfranchising certain populations.

This amendment is integral to the civil rights movements of the 1960s, as it represented a significant step towards achieving free and fair elections. Poll taxes had been employed especially in Southern states, contributing to the systemic inequalities in voting access. The Twenty-fourth Amendment addressed this injustice directly, affirming the right to vote without financial barriers.