Which amendment allows citizens to vote regardless of race?

• A. The Fourteenth Amendment
• B. The Fifteenth Amendment
• C. The Nineteenth Amendment
• D. The Twenty-fourth Amendment

Answer: (B)

The Fifteenth Amendment is the correct answer because it specifically prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a significant step in the post-Civil War era aiming to ensure that African American men, among others, could participate in the democratic process. This was particularly important during a time when discriminatory practices were prevalent in many states, as they sought to suppress the voting rights of Black citizens.

In contrast, the other amendments do not address voting rights in the context of race. The Fourteenth Amendment, while addressing citizenship and equal protection under the law, does not explicitly address voting rights. The Nineteenth Amendment grants women the right to vote, emphasizing gender rather than race. The Twenty-fourth Amendment prohibits poll taxes in federal elections, thereby removing a financial barrier to voting, but it does not specifically tackle the issue of race. Hence, the Fifteenth Amendment is the clear choice as it directly focuses on protecting the right to vote regardless of race.