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 enacted, SJR27 would not change existing laws regarding voting directly, since the prohibition against poll taxes is already established. However, it would formalize the state’s acknowledgment of a law that enhances voter rights and access to the electoral process. This could have implications for future legislative discussions about voting access and barriers, as it reinforces the stance that financial requirements should not impede the right to vote.
SJR27 is a Joint Resolution proposing the post-ratification of Amendment XXIV to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the denial or abridgment of the right to vote based on failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. The amendment was ratified by the states and became law in 1964, yet Texas has never officially ratified it. This bill seeks to address that gap by making a symbolic gesture to recognize the amendment, akin to similar actions taken by other states in previous years.
While supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary step in affirming the importance of voting rights, opponents may see the bill as insufficient or merely a ceremonial act that does not address broader issues related to electoral access. Notably, the bill highlights historical actions taken by other states to post-ratify the amendment, prompting discussions on Texas's own voting laws and any remaining barriers that could be perceived as discriminatory.