The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-08
ARTICLE VI.
Suffrage and Eligibility TO Office
Qualifications OF an Elector.

ARTICLE VI
Suffrage and Eligibility TO Office
Qualifications Of an Eiector.
Section /. Every male person born
in the United States. and every male
person who has been naturalized,
t~wenty-one years OF age and possessing
the qualifications set out in this Art-
Gle. shall be entitled TO vote at any
election by the people in he state. ex-
cept as herein otherwise provided.
Sec. 2 He shall have resided in the
state of North Carolina for two years.
In the county six months. and in the
precinct, var or other election dis
trict in which he offers to vote, -four
months next preceding the election;
Provided, that removal from n pre-
cinct. ward or other election district 10
another in the same county. shall not
operate 10 deprive any person OF h
right to vote in the precinct, ware or
other election district from which he
has removed until four months after
such removal. No person who has been
convicted. or who has confessed his
guilt in open court upon indictment, OF
any crime the punishment OF which
now is. or may hereafter be imprison-
ment in the state prison, shall be per-
mitted to vote. unless the said person
shall be first restored TO citizenship in
the manner prescibed by law.
Sec. 5. Every person offering to vote
shall be at the time alleged registered
voter as herein prescribed and in the
manne herein after provided by law.
n the general assembly OF North
Carolina shall enact general registra-
ton laws to carry into effect the pro-
visions OF this article.
Sec. 4. Every person presenting him
self for registration shall be able to
read and write any section of the con-
stitution in the English language; and
before he shall be entitled to vote. he
shall have paid, on or before the first
day of March of the year in which he
proposes to vote. his poll tax as pre-
scribed by law for the previous year.
Poll taxes shall be a lien only on as
sessed property, and no process shall
issue to enforce the collection of the
same except against assessed property.
Sec. 5. No male person who was,
on January 1. 1867, or at any time prior
thereto, entitled TO vote under the laws
of any state in the United States.
wherein he then resided, and 10 lineal
descendant of any such person, shall
be denied the right to register n vote
at any election. in this state by reason
Of his failure to possess the education
al qualifications prescribed in section
4 of this article: Provided, He shall
have registered in accordance with the
terms of this section prior to Deem
Der 1, 1908. The general assembly shall
| pIONlue lOI d pei iIldltLt ISCoIu VI Oil
persons who register under this section
on or before November first. one thou
sand nine hundre and eight, and all
such persons shall be entitled to regis
ter and vote in all elections by the peo-
pie in this state, unless disqualified un-
der section 2 of this article: Provided.
such persons shall have paid their poll
tax as equired by law.
Sec. 6. All elections by the people
shall be by ballot, and all elections by
the general assembly shall be by viv
voce.
Sec. Z. Every voter in North Caro-
lima, except as in his article %disquali-
fled, shall be eligible to office, but be-
fore entering upon the duties of the Of
flee he shall take and prescribe the fol-
lowing oath: do
solemnly swear Cor affirm that 1 will
support and maintain the constitution
and laws of the United States. and the
constitution and laws of North Carroll
ma not inconsistent Herewith, and that
1 will faithfully discharge the duties
Of my office as So
helD me, God"
sons shall be disqualified for office.
First, all persons who hail deny the
being of Almighty God. Second, all
persons who shall nave been convicted
or confessed their guilt On indictment
pending and whether sentenced or not
u ulucI Judgment SuSpSilucu, vi any
treason or felony, or of any other
crime for which the punishment may
be imprisonment in the p~enitentiary
since becoming citizen Of the United
States, or of corruption and malprac-
tice in office, unless such person shall
be restored to the right of citizenship
in a manner prescribed by law.
, Section 2. That all the provisions
of the constitution relating to suffrage,
registration and election, as contained
: in this act, amending the constitution,
shall go into effect On the first day OF
!, July. 1902, if a majority Of the quail
fled voters of the state so declare at the
next general election.
Sec. 8. This amendment shall be
submitted at the next general election
to the qualified voters Of the state in
the ann and under the same rules
and regulations as provided in the law
regulating general elections in the
! state, and in force May LIST. 1899, and
at said election those persons desiring
to vote for such amendment shall cast
! a written or printed ballot with the
words For Suffrage Amendment
l thereon; and those with a contrary
: opinion shall cast a written or printed
ballot with h words Against Suf.
{ frage Amendment" thereon.
Sec. 4. The said election shall be
, held, and the votes returned, compar-
ed, counted and canvassed, and the re-
suit announced, under the same rules
and regulations as are in force for re.
turning, comparing, counting and can
vassing the votes for members of the
general assembly. May 1st. 1899. and IL
; a majority of the votes cast are in
favor Of the said amendment. it shall
| be the duty Of the governor Of the
state to certify said amendment, under
l the seal of the state, to the secretary
: of the state. who shall enroll the said
) amendment so certified among the per
/ manent records Of his office.
) Sec. 5. This act shall be in force
from and after it's ratification.
, State Of North Carolina,