The national Republican., 1867-05-11
aatinnal gspnhlitau.
LAWS RELATING To SUFFRAGE
In THE DISTRICT OF CO.

LAWS RELATING To SUFFRAGE
IN THE DISTRICT OF CO.
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For the information Of those interested,
we republish below the laws relating to
suffrage in the District Of Columbia,
passed during the second session Of the
Thirty-Nhth Congress, and the first ses-
sion Of the Fortieth Congress:
TPuBIc-No. g..
An Act to regulate the elective franchise In
the District Of Columbia.
Be IL enacted by the 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 cleo
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 II 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 conyic-
ton, il such act was done knowingly, to a
fine not exceeding five 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 1t further enacted, That
il 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 az 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 OF
the court next preceding the holding Of
any general or city election in said District.
Sec. 5. And be IL further enacted, That
the mayors and alderman Of the cities Of
Washington and Georgetown, respectively,
ON or before the first day ofMarch in each
hal N ,at ~ tla. 4 thn.,
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 qualfca-
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. Aud be it further enacted, That
on or before the first day Of March the
mayors and aldermen Of said cities shall
post up q list Of voters thus prepared in one
or more public places in said cities, respect
lively, at least ten days prior to said an
nual election.
the officers presiding at any election shall
keep and use the checklist herein required
at the polls during the election Of all
officers and no vote shall be received un-
less delivered by 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 ii 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, bribe, present, or
reward, or any promise, understanding,
obligation, or security for the payment or
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 givenIat any election hereafter to be
held within the District of Columbia; and
every person so offending shall, on con.
viction thereof be fined in any sum not ex.
ceeding two thousand dollars, or impris-
oned not exceeding two years, or both, at
the discretion Of the court.
Sec. .. And be t further enacted, That
any person who shall accept, directly or
indirectly, any money, goods, right in &c
ton, bribe, present, or reward, or any
promise, understanding, obligation or secn- |
rity for the payment or delivery 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 and
be forever disfranchised.
Sec. 10. AndJe 1t further enacted, That
all acts and parts facts inconsistent with
this act be, and the same are hereby, re-
pealed,
PUBMo-No. ls.
An Act to punish illegal voting in the
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