The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-05
THE LAWS ON SUFFRAGE IN THE
SEVERAL STATES.


Indiana gives the right of suffrage to "ever,
white male citizen Of the United States" Of ful
age and 3 months resident in the State, anG
every white male of foreign birth and full age,
who has resided year in the United States
and months preceding the election in the
State and who has declared his intention to be
come citizen. No person shall lose bis vote
by absence in the service Of the State or Uni
ted States. "No negro or mula,to shall have
the right of suffrage"
Illinois gives the vote to "every white male
citizen" of full age, residing year in the State
and "every white male inhabitant" who was
resident of the State at the adoption of this
Constitution. Like prov isieus to those of In
diana exists here relative to persons in the SER
vice of the United States.-( Constitution o,
1847)
Missouri by her free State Constitution Of
| 1865, excludes the blacks from voting
Michigan gives the ballot to every white male
citizen, to every white male inhabitant residing
in the State June Oath, 1885, aud to every
white male inhabitant residing in the State
January lst, 1850, who has declared his inten-
| ton, etc, or who has resided 23 years in the
State, aud declared his intention, and to every
civilized male Indian inhabitant no, member
of tribe. But no person shall vote until OF
and days in the town. Constitution of
l85O.) -
Iowa.-Every "white male citizen" of the
United States, of full age, resident mouths in
the State, 60 days in the county, has the right
of voting
New York admits to the suffrage "every male
citizen" Of full age, who shall have been 10 days
a citizen, year in the State, 4 months in the
county, and so days in the district. But no
man OF color shall vote unless he has been 8
years citizen of the State, and for l year the
owner of freehold worth $3.50, over incum-
brances, On which he shall have paid tax, and
he is to be subject to no direct tax unless he
owns such freehold. Laws are authorized and
have been passed, excluding from the suffrage
persons convicted of bribery, larceny, or infa-
nous crime, also persons betting on the election.
No person gains or looses a residence by reason
Of presence or absence in the service of the
United States; nor in navigation; nor as stu
dent in seminary; nor in an asylum or prison.
A registry law also exists.
New Jersey gives the ballot, by its Constitu-
tion of 1874, to "every white male citizen" of
the United States, of full age, residing year
10 the State and 5 months in the county, ex-
cept that no pauper, idiot, insane person, or per-
sons convicted of crime which excludes him
from being witness, shall vote.
Pennsylvania gives a vote to "every white
freeman" of full age, who has resided l year in
the State and 10 days in the election district,
and has within years paid tax, except that
a once qualified voter returning into the State
after absence which qualities him from voting,
regans bis vote by 6 months residence, and
except that white free citizens under % over Fl
vote without paying taxes.
Ohio limits the elective franchise to "every
white male citizen" of the United States, Of full
age, resident l year in the State. (Constitu-
tion Of lS51.) But the courts Of Ohio having
held that every person of one half white blood
is a "wbite male citizen" within the Constitu.
ton, and that the burden of proof is with the
challenging party to show that the person is
more than half black which is impracticable,
We believe that, in practice, negroes in Ohio
vote without restriction.
Wisconsin.-Every male Of full age, resident
year in the State and being either: l. A white
citizen of the United States. g. white alien
who has declared his intention. 3, A person
of Indian blood who has been declared citizen
by act of Congress. 4 Civilized persons Of In
dian descent not members of any tribe. In
November, 1865, vote was taken on propos-
ed amendment to the State Constitution, to
strike out the word "white' 10 the qualifca.
tion of voters The amendment was rejected
by majority of s0O5.
California -Every white male citizen of the
United States Cor of Mexico who shall have
elected to become citizen Of the United States
under treaty of Queretaro) of full age, resident
months 10 the State aud 80 days in the dis.
trict. The Legislature has power to extend
the rights to Indians and their descendants.
Minnesota.-Every male person Of full age,
resident l year in the Uaited States and
months in the State. and being either: l. A
white citizen of the United States 2. A white
alien tho has declared his intention 3 Civil
lied persons of mixed white aud Indian blood
4. Civilized Indians certified by district court
to be fit Cor citizenship. In November, 1865, a
vote was taken on proposed amendment to the
State Constitution to strike out the word "wbi:e"
in the qualification of voters. The amendment
was rejected by majority of about 1000.
Oregon.-Every white male citizen Of full
age, 6 months resident of the State, and every
white male alien Of full age, resident in the
United States l year, who has declared his in
tention, may vote, but no "negro, Cbinaman or
mulatto"
Kansas gives the ballot to every white male
adult, resident months in the State and 80
days in the town, who is either citizen or has
declared his intention.
West Virginia.-Every white male citizen,
Iexcept minors, lunafics, and felons,) resident
year 10 the State and 30 days in the county.
Nevada,-The Law on the right of suffrage is
similar to that of Oregon.
Colorado gives the ballot 10 every white male
citizen of full age.
Delaware, by her Constitution, rs revised in
1881, Art. 4, Sec !, gives the elective franchise
to every free white male citizen of the age of 22