Poll taxes and literacy tests had what effects on voting?
They ensured that voters knew current events.
They provided extra voting security.
They frequently impeded African-American voting.

Poll taxes and literacy tests were often used as tools to disenfranchise African American voters, especially in the southern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These requirements effectively created barriers that many Black citizens could not overcome due to economic hardship or unequal access to education. Despite these obstacles, these measures were often justified under the guise of “ensuring informed voters.”

These discriminatory practices led to widespread protests and movements advocating for voting rights, culminating in significant legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This landmark act aimed to eliminate such barriers and enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments, resulting in a major shift towards increased voter registration and participation among African Americans.