Question

Explain what a poll tax is and describe one positive and one negative outcome of the poll tax established in Texas in 1902.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

A poll tax, also known as head tax or capitation, is a tax levied as a fixed sum on every liable individual.

Head taxes were important sources of revenue for many governments from ancient times until the 19th century. In the United Kingdom, poll taxes were levied by the governments of John of Gaunt in the 14th century, Charles II in the 17th and Margaret Thatcher in the 20th century. In the United States, voting poll taxes (whose payment was a precondition to voting in an election) have been used to disenfranchise impoverished and minority voters (especially under Reconstruction).

Poll taxes are considered very regressive taxes, are usually very unpopular and have been implicated in many uprisings

Answer 2

A poll tax, also known as head tax or capitation, is a tax levied as a fixed sum on every liable individual

Explanation:

• On the 4 November 1902 referendum in Texas, the Texas Poll Tax Payment Provision, was approved as a constitutional amendment by the legislative body in Texas. The measure required the payment of polling taxes before a person could vote in any election.
• The policy-makers wanted to impose a poll tax so as to regulate voting, deter electoral bribery and guarantee a stronger electoral class. Before voting, voters had to pay the tax and as a the evidence of having paid the tax proof bring the receipt while voting
• Prior to the poll tax, it was very easy to vote in Texas; before 1902, you did not have to be a resident to vote. The polling tax was sufficiently high to deter voters, particularly Afro-Americans, Tejanos and poor whites.