poll tax

noun

: a tax of a fixed amount per person levied on adults and often linked to the right to vote

Examples of poll tax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Prior to council tax, there was poll tax which was so wildly unpopular, people began rioting across England. —Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 12 Jan. 2024

But a Venezuelan passport costs more than $300, a price that amounts to a poll tax because few migrants can afford them. —John Otis, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024

The wholesale purchase of poll tax receipts by others not in the purchaser's immediate family was widespread, and illegally obtained poll tax receipts were widely distributed by candidates to their supporters. —Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2022

In a state where Republicans pass tougher and tougher voting restrictions every legislative session, the Alabama Democratic Party has responded by enacting its own sort of poll tax. —Kyle Whitmire, al, 6 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

poll tax

noun

: a tax of a fixed amount per adult person that is often linked to the right to vote

Legal Definition

poll tax

noun

ˈpōl-

: a tax of a fixed amount per person levied on adults