Which amendment allows citizens to vote regardless of race?

Study for the Police Academy – Constitutional Law Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Gear up for your exam success!

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution is specifically designed to protect the right to vote for citizens regardless of their race. Ratified in 1870, this amendment states that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This was a crucial step during the Reconstruction Era, aiming to ensure that newly freed African American males had the legal right to participate in elections.

In contrast, the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote but does not specifically address race. The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, eliminated poll taxes in federal elections, thus removing a financial barrier that was often used to disenfranchise voters, particularly African Americans and poor citizens, but it also does not solely focus on race. The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18, thereby expanding suffrage to younger citizens but is not concerned with racial discrimination.

Thus, the 15th Amendment stands as the correct answer for guaranteeing voting rights irrespective of race, highlighting its significance in the context of American civil rights history.

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