Why did leaders of the civil rights movement oppose the use of poll taxes?

Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement opposed poll taxes because they effectively disenfranchised poor and minority voters, particularly African Americans in the South. Poll taxes imposed a financial barrier that made it difficult for many citizens to exercise their right to vote, undermining the principle of equal access to the democratic process. Activists viewed this practice as a tool of systemic racism and economic inequality, which perpetuated discrimination and limited representation in government. Eliminating poll taxes was essential for achieving true electoral equality and expanding civil rights.