Post-ratifying Amendment XXIV to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the denial or abridgment of the right to vote for failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
If HJR39 is enacted, it would officially align Texas with the other states that have acknowledged Amendment XXIV through post-ratification. This act does not amend current laws directly regarding voting requirements; however, it reinforces the principle that financial barriers, such as poll taxes, have no place in elections. This symbolic gesture aims to highlight Texas' commitment to ensuring all citizens can exercise their right to vote, regardless of their economic status.
HJR39 is a joint resolution that aims to post-ratify Amendment XXIV to the Constitution of the United States, which prohibits the denial or abridgment of the right to vote due to failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. Although Amendment XXIV was ratified by Congress and has been law since 1964, this resolution serves as a symbolic action to affirm Texas' support of the amendment, which historically has not been formally recognized by the state legislature. The bill includes several historical references to prior state post-ratifications, emphasizing the importance of voter access and freedom from financial barriers to voting.
There may be varying opinions regarding the necessity of this resolution. Supporters advocate that such post-ratifications serve as important affirmations against the historical injustices of poll taxes, considering them an important facet of civil rights and voting access. In contrast, critics may view this act as superfluous since the amendment has already been federal law for several decades. The discussion around HJR39 revolves around the significance of taking an official stance, and whether such symbolic acts can facilitate broader discussions on voter rights and barriers that still exist in various forms.