Poll taxes were fees that individuals had to pay in order to vote in elections. These taxes were often used as a way to restrict voting rights, particularly for low-income individuals and marginalized groups. By requiring payment, many people were effectively disenfranchised, as they could not afford the tax. In the United States, poll taxes were used primarily in the southern states from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. The practice was abolished by the 24th Amendment in 1964 for federal elections and later declared unconstitutional for state elections by the Supreme Court in 1966.