The national Republican., 1867-05-02
Aatiuual gepnblitau.
LAWS RELATING TO SUFFRAGE
IN THE DISTRICT OF CO-
LUMBIA.

LUMBIA. 4.
For the information OF those interested
we republisb below the laws relating tC
suffrage in the District Of Columbia
passed during the second session Of the
Thirty.Ninth Congress, and the first ses
sion OF the Fortieth Congress
[PUBLic-No. 3.
An ACT to regulate the elective franchise in
the District OF Columbia.
Be il enacted blythe Senate and House Of
REPRESENTATIVES Of the United States Of
America in Congress assembled, That, from
and after the passage Of this act, each and
every male person, excepting paupers and
persons under guardianship, 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 given aid and comfort to
the rebels in the late rebellion, and who
shall have been born or naturalized In the
United States, and who shall have resided
in the said District for the period OF one
year, and three months in the ward or elec-
ton precinct in which he shall offer TO
vote, next preceding any election therein,
shall be entitled to the elective franchise,
and shall be deemed an elector and entitled
to vote at any election in said District,
without any distinction on account Of color
or race.
Sec. 2. And be IL further enacted, That
any person whose duty it shall be to re-
ceive votes at any election within the Dis
trict Of Columbia, who shall wilfully refuse
the vote Of any person entitled to such
right under this act, shall be liable to an
action Of tort by the person injured, and
shall be liable, on Indictment and convic-
tion, if such act was done knowingly, to q
fine not exceeding Eve thousand dollars,
or TO imprisonment for term not exceed
ing one year in the Jail Of said District or
to both.
Sec. 3. And be ii further enacted, That
if any person or persons shall wilfully inter-
rupt or disturb any such elector in the ex-
ercise OF such franchise, he or they shall
be deemed guilty Of misdemeanor, and,
on conviction thereof, shall be fined in any
sum not TO exceed one thousand dollars or
be imprisoned in the jail in said District for
period not to exceed thirty days, or both,
at the discretion Of the court.
Sec. 4. And be 1t further enacted, That
it shall be the duty Of the several courts
having jurisdiction in said District to give
this act in special charge to the grand
Jury at the commencement of each term oil
the court next preceding the holding oi
any general or city election in said District
Sec. 5. And be 1t further enacted, That
the mayors and alderman Of the cities OF
Washington and Georgetown, respectively,
on or before the first day ofMarCh in each
year, shall prepare list Of the persons they
Judge to be qualified to vote in the several
wards Of said cities in any election; and
said mayors and aldermen shall be in open
session to receive evidence Of the qualifica-
ton Of persons claiming the right to vote
in any election therein, and for correcting
said list, on two days in each year, not ex-
ceeding five days prior to the annual elec.
ton for the choice Of city officers, giving
previous notice Of the time and place Of
each session in some newspaper printed
in said District.
Sec. G. and be IL further enacted, That
on or before the first day of March the
mayors and aldermen Of said cities shal
post up list Of voters thus prepared in ont
or more public places in said cities, respect
lively, at least ten days prior to said an
nual election.
Sec. I. A1ld be ii further enacted, Tha
the officers presiding at any election shal
keep and use the checklist herein required
at the polls during the election OF all
officers and no vote shall be received un.
less deliveredby the voter in person, and
not until the presiding officer has had op,
portunity to be satisfied of his identity, and
shall find his name on the list, and mark
it, and ascertain that his vote is single.
Sec. 8. And be At further enacted, That
it is hereby declared unlawful for any
person directly or indirectly to promise
offer, or give, or procure or cause to be
promised, offered, or given, any money
goods, right in action, bribc, present, Of
reward, or any promise, understanding
obligation, or security for the payment OF
delivery of any money, goods, right in
action, bribe, present, or reward, or any
other valuable thing whatever, to any
person with intent to influence his vote to
be given.at any election hereafter to be
held within the District Of Columbia; and
every person so offending shall, on con
viction thereof, be hned in any sum not ex
ceeding two thousand dollars, or impris
oned not exceeding two years, or both, a
the discretion Of the court
Sec. .. And be it further enacted, That
any person who shall accept, directly Of
"hS ihOhcyi BOousI rlgut IN NC
tion, bribe, present, or reward, or any
promise, understanding, obligation, or secT
rity for the payment or delivery OF an,
money, goods, right in action, bribC
present, or reward, or C:.uy other valuabl
thing whatever, - influence his vote o
any elc,S~,lon hereafter to be held in tn
District of Columbia, shall, on conviction
be imprisoned not less than one year an
be forever disfranchised.
Sec. 10. And be ii further enacted rht
all acts and parts Of acts inconsistent wi
this act be, and the same are hereby, r
pealed.
[PUBMc-No. IS.
An Act to punish illegal voting in Il
District OF Columbia, and for other pu
poses.