, 1867-02-15

LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Passed at the Seconl SassiOn of the Thirty
f.rr Ninth Congress.


fer. Ninth Congress.
rPUBLIc-Nu. 3
An ACT to regulate the elective franchise in the
District of Columbia.
Be it resoIged 6y the SeHdie and House of Repre-
seDtafi0es Of the United Siates Of Amercd an CoR~
gTess assembled, That, from aud after the passage
of this act, each aud every male person, except
ing pAupers and persons under guardian ship, Of
the, age of twenty-one years and upwards, who
has not been convicted of any infamous crime
or offence, and excepting persons who may have
voluntarily givenhid and comfort TO the rebels IN
the late rebellion, and whO shall have been born
nalurAlized in the United States, and who
shall have resided in the said District for the
period of year, an tnree mouths in the
ward or election precinct in which he shall ofier
to vote, next preceding any election therein,
shall be entitled 10 the elective franchise, and
shall be deemed AN elector and entitled TO vote
at any election in said District, without any dis
tinction account of color or race.
SEC. 2. Aad be q farther enacted, That any
person whose duty it shall be to receive votes at
any election within the District Of Columbia,
who shall wilfuly refuse to receive, or whO shall
wifully reject the vote OF any person eutrtled 10
such right under this act, shall be liable To an
action of tort 10y the person Injured, and shall
be liable, on Indictment and conviction, if such
nm act was done knowingly, To a fue not exceed
ing nve thousand dollars, or TO imprisonment
for term not exceeding one year in the ill o.
said District, or to both,
- SEC. 3. Aat BE- j, firiher enacted, That if any
person or persons SHAH wilfaly interrupt or
disturb any such elcctor in the exercise OF such
franchise, he or they shall be deemed guilty Of
mi mlsdemeanor, aud, on conviction thereof,
shall be lined IN any sum not 10 exceed one thou
sand dollars, or be imprisoned in the jail in
said District for period rot 10 exceed thirty
Gays, or both, at the discretion Of the court.
SEC. 4. Aai6e il Clrihsr cIaciei, That 1t shall
be the duiy of the several courts having crimi-
.ral jurisdiction in said District 10 give this act
in speciHt charge to the grand jury at the com.
mencement Of each term of the court next pre-.
ceding the holding of any general or city elec>
tion in said District.
SEC. 8. Ind be 1t further enacted, That the
mayors aud nldarmen Of the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown, respectively, on or before
the first day of NJ ,rch in each year, shall pre-
pare II list uf the persons they jndgr to be quail
flied to vote in the several ward, of said cities
in ANY election and SAID mayors aud aldermen
shall be in open, session to receive evidence Of
the qualification of persons claiming the right
to vote in any election therein. and Tor cOrrrct-
ing said list on two days IN each year, not ex.
ceedIng five days prior To the annual election
for the choice OF city officers, giving previous
notice of the time and place of each session in
som. newspaper printed in said District
SEC. 6. And be 1t FURTHER enacted, That on or
before the first " OF March the MAJORS and
aldermen OF said cities shall post up list Of
voters thus prepared in one or more public par
ces in SAID cities, respectively, at least ten days
prior to said annual election.
SEC. I. And be II further enacted, That the Off
GERS presiding Mt any election shall keep and use
the check list herein required at the polls du
ring the election of all officers, and vote
shall be received unless delivered by the voter
in person, aud not until the presiding officer
has had opportunity to he satisfied of his dcn>
tty, and shall fnd his name the list aud
mark it, and ascertain that his vote j. single.
SEC. 8. And be IL FURTHER eRde'1{, That it is
hereby declared unlawful for any person direct
ly or indirectly TO promise, offer. or give or pros
cure or cause To he promised, offered, or gwen,
any money, goods, right IN action, bribe, pre-
sent, or reward, any other valuable thing
whatever, TO any person with intent TO Influence
his vote to he given ut any election hereafter to
be held within the District of Columbia and
every person so offending shall couciction
thereof, be fined in any sum not exceeding two
thousand dollars, or imprisoned not exceeding
two years, or both, ut the discretion ofthe court
SEC. .. ARd be Il further enacted, That any
person who shall accept, directly or indirectly
any money, goods, right in action, Bribc, pre-
sent, or reward, or any promise, understanding,
obligation or security for the payment or de-
livery of any money, goods, right in action,
bribe, present, or reward or any other valuable
thing whatever, to influence his vote, at any
election hereafter to be held in the District OF
Columbia, shall, on conviction, be imprisoned
not less than one year aud be forever disfran-
chised.
Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That all
acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act
be, and the same are hereby repealed.
SCHUYLER CULFAX,
Speaker Of the II 'usr ct representatives.
LAFAYETTE ). FOSTER,
President of the Senate pro ttmpOre
Is SENATE OF THE UNIrED STATES,
January Z, 1867.
RssolUed, That the said bill DO pass two thirds
OF the Senate agreeing to pass the same
Attest: J. W. FORNEEY
Secretary of the Senate
lS THE HoUsE OF REPREsENrArtvgs)
OF rHE>tNITED STATES, January sth. 1867
The HouselS( R'prcsrutatves having prerrd.
ed ip-Pursu Snee uf the Constitution, To- recon
slider the dill ehtitlTd' An act 20 regulate The
elective iranghise in the D.strIct of Columbi, ''
returned to the Senate by the President o. the
United States, with his objections. aud sent bv
the Senate to the House of Representative:
with the message OF the President returning the
bill:
Rssolr'd, That the bill do pass, two thirds oI
the House Of Representatives, agreeing TO pass
the same
Attest:
EDWARD MCPHERSON,