Race Distinctions in American Law

by Gilbert Thomas Stephenson

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING IN THE UNITED STATES.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
Alabama[[714]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who had declared intention by Nov. 28, 1901.	21 yrs.	Male.	2 yrs.	1 yr.	3 mo.	Poll taxes for preceding year paid by Feb. 1, before election.	Owner or husband of owner of 40 acres of land in State upon which he resides or of personal property worth $300 upon which taxes for preceding year have been paid.	Able to read and write Constitution of U. S. in English, unless physically disabled.
Arkansas[[732]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.	1 mo.	Poll tax for preceding year paid.
California[[733]]	Citizen of U. S. for 90 days before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	90 da.	30 da.			Able to read Constitution in English and write name.
Colorado[[734]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention 4 mo. before election.	21 yrs.	Male or female.	1 yr.	90 da., 30 da. in city or town.	10 da.
Connecticut[[735]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.	6 mo. in town.			Able to read Constitution or Statutes of State in English.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
Alabama[[714]]	One might permanently register before Dec. 20, 1902 (1) if he had honorably served in the forces of the U. S. in the War of 1812, War with Mexico, any war with Indians, war between the States, war with Spain, or in the forces of the Confederate States or of Ala. during the war between the States, or (2) if he was the lawful descendant of one of the above.	One might permanently register before Dec. 20, 1902, if he was of good character and understood the duties and obligations of citizens under a republican form of government.			Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts.
Arkansas[[732]]					Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts of felonies.
California[[733]]	Educational test did not apply to men 60 years old when amendment took effect.				Idiots and insane.	Embezzlers of public moneys. Convicts of infamous crimes.		Natives of China.
Colorado[[734]]					Insane and non compos mentis.	Convicts in prison.
Connecticut[[735]]		Voter must have good moral character.			Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts of heinous crimes.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
Delaware[[736]]	Citizen of U. S.	22 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	3 mo.	30 da.	Paid county tax within 2 years, assessed 6 mo. before election.		Able to read Constitution in English or write name.
Florida[[737]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.		Poll tax for 2 years preceding paid.
Georgia[[718]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.		All taxes legally required since 1877 paid 6 mo. before election.	Owner of 40 acres of land in State on which he resides or of personal property in State worth $500.	Able to read and write in English Constitution of U.S. or of Ga., unless physically disabled.
Idaho[[738]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male or female.	6 mo.	30 da.
Illinois[[739]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	90 da.	30 da.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
Delaware[[736]]				Paupers.	Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts of felonies.
Florida[[737]]					Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts.
Georgia[[716]]	One may permanently register before Jan. 1, 1915 (1) if he has honorably served in forces of U.S. in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, War with Mexico, any war with Indians, war between the States, war with Spain, or in forces of Confederate States or of Ga. in war between the States, or (2) if he is lawful descendant of one of above.	One without property or education may vote, if he is of good moral character and understands the duties and obligations of citizens under a republican form of government.	One physically disabled from reading and writing may vote if he can understand and reasonably interpret the Constitution of U.S. or of Ga. when read to him.		Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts.
Idaho[[738]]					Idiots, insane, and persons under guardianship.	Convicts of felony, bigamy, polygamy, and inmates of houses of ill-fame.	Tribal Indians not taxed.	Natives of China.
Illinois[[739]]	One who was an elector April 1, 1848, continued to be elector under new Constitution.					Unrestored convicts of felony or election bribery.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
Indiana[[740]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention if resident in U. S. 1 yr. before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	60 da. in town.	30 da.
Iowa[[741]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	60 da.
Kansas[[742]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.		30 da.
Kentucky[[743]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.	60 da.
Louisiana[[712]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	2 yrs.	1 yr.	6 mo.	Poll tax for 2 years preceding election paid, unless voter is 60 yrs. old.	Owner of property worth $300, on which, if personal, taxes paid.	Able to read and write and make application for registration in his own handwriting.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
Indiana[[740]]						Convicts of infamous crime during term fixed by court.
Iowa[[741]]					Idiots and insane.	Convicts of infamous crime.
Kansas[[742]]					Insane and persons under guardianship.	Unrestored convicts of treason, felony, bribery, embezzlement.
Kentucky[[743]]					Idiots and insane.	Convicts of treason, felony, and bribery.
Louisiana[[712]]	One might permanently register before Sept. 1, 1898, (1) if he was entitled to vote in any State, Jan. 1, 1867,(2) son or grandson of such a one and 21 years old or over in 1898, or (3) a foreigner naturalized before Jan. 1, 1898, resident in State 5 years before application for registration.			Inmates of charitable institutions, except soldiers’ homes.	Idiots and insane.	Felons under indictment.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
Maine[[744]]	Citizen of U.S.	21 yrs.	Male.	3 mo.					Able to read Constitution in English and write name.
Maryland[[745]]	Citizen of U.S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.
Massachusetts[[746]]	Citizen of U.S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.	6 mo.			Able to read Constitution in English and write name.
Michigan[[747]]	Citizen of U.S. or alien who has declared intention before May 8, 1892.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	20 da.	20 da.
Minnesota[[748]]	Citizen of U.S. 3 mo. before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	30 da.	30 da.
Mississippi[[710]]	Citizen of U.S.	21 yrs.	Male.	2 yrs.	1 yr.	1 yr.	All taxes for 2 preceding years paid.		Able to read Constitution of State.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
Maine[[744]]	Educational test did not apply to men who were entitled to vote when amendment took effect in 1893 or to men 60 years old at that time.			Paupers.	Persons under guardianship.		Indians not taxed.
Maryland[[745]]					Lunatics, non compos mentis.	Unpardoned convicts of felony and bribery.
Massachusetts[[746]]	Educational test did not apply to men who were entitled to vote when amendment went into effect in 1857 or to men 60 years old at that time.			Paupers.	Persons under guardianship.
Michigan[[747]]						Duelists and accessories.	Tribal Indians.
Minnesota[[748]]					Insane and persons under guardianship.	Unpardoned convicts of treason and felony.	Tribal Indians.
Mississippi[[710]]			One without ability to read may vote if he can understand or reasonably interpret the Constitution.		Idiots and insane.	Convicts of felony and bigamy.	Indians not taxed.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
Missouri[[749]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention not less than 1 nor more than 5 years before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	60 da.	20 da.
Montana[[750]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	30 da.	30 da.
Nebraska[[751]]	Citizen of U.S. or alien who has declared intention 30 days before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	40 da.	10 da.
Nevada[[752]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	30 da.	30 da.
New Hampshire[[753]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	6 mo.	6 mo.
New Jersey[[754]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	5 mo.
New York[[755]]	Citizen of U. S. 90 days before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	4 mo.	30 da.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
Missouri[[749]]				Inmates of poorhouses or asylums at public expense.		Unpardoned convicts of infamous crimes.
Montana[[750]]				Inmates of public institutions.	Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned felons.	Indians.
Nebraska[[751]]					Non compos mentis.	Unrestored convicts of treason and felony.
Nevada[[752]]					Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts.	Indians.	Natives of China.
New Hampshire[[753]]	One who served in the Rebellion and has been honorably discharged is not disfranchised because he has received help from the public.			Paupers.
New Jersey[[754]]				Paupers.	Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned or unrestored convicts.
New York[[755]]						Unrestored convicts of crimes against suffrage.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
North Carolina[[713]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	2 yrs.	6 mo.	4 mo.	Poll tax for preceding year paid.		Able to read and write Constitution in English.
North Dakota[[756]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.	90 da.
Ohio[[757]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	30 da.	20 da.
Oklahoma[[758]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.	30 da.
Oregon[[759]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention 1 year before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.
Pennsylvania[[760]]	Citizen of U. S. 1 month before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	2 mo.	2 mo.	State or county tax paid within 2 years, and 1 mo. before election.
Rhode Island[[761]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	2 yrs.	6 mo. in town.			Owner of property worth $134 on which taxes of preceding year paid, or payer of a rental of $7 a year to vote for city councillors or on finances.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
North Carolina[[713]]	One might be permanently registered before Dec. 1, 1908 (1) if he was entitled to vote Jan. 1, 1867, or (2) the lineal descendant of such a one.				Idiots and lunatics.	Unrestored convicts of felony and infamous crimes.
North Dakota[[756]]					Insane, non compos mentis, under guardianship.	Unrestored convicts of treason and felony.	Tribal Indians.
Ohio[[757]]					Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts.
Oklahoma[[758]]				Inmates of poorhouses and asylums, except soldiers’ homes.	Idiots and insane.	Convicts of felony.	Tribal Indians.
Oregon[[759]]					Idiots and insane.	Convicts of felony.		Natives of China.
Pennsylvania[[760]]						Convicts of crimes against suffrage.
Rhode Island[[761]]				Paupers.	Insane, non compos mentis, under guardianship.	Unrestored convicts.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
South Carolina[[711]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	2 yrs.	1 yr.	4 mo.	All taxes for preceding year paid. Poll tax paid 6 mo. before election.	Owner of property worth $300 upon which taxes for preceding year paid.	Able to read and write Constitution.
South Dakota[[762]]	Citizen of U. S. resident in U. S. 1 year, or alien who has declared intention.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.	30 da.
Tennessee[[763]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.		Poll tax for preceding year paid.
Texas[[764]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention 6 mo. before election.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo.		Poll tax paid by Feb. 1, before election.
Utah[[765]]	Citizen of U. S. 90 da. before election.	21 yrs.	Male or female.	1 yr.	4 mo.	60 da.
Vermont[[766]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	3 mo.	3 mo.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
South Carolina[[721]]	One might permanently register before Jan. 1, 1898, if he could read the Constitution or understand and explain it.		One without ability to read might register before Jan. 1, 1898, if he could understand and explain the Constitution.	Paupers persons in public institutions.	Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts.
South Dakota[[762]]					Idiots, non compos mentis, under guardianship.	Unpardoned convicts.
Tennessee[[763]]						Unpardoned convicts.
Texas[[764]]				Paupers.	Idiots and lunatics.	Unpardoned or unrestored convicts.
Utah[[765]]					Idiots and insane.	Unpardoned convicts.
Vermont[[766]]		Voter must be of “quiet and peaceable behavior.”				Unpardoned convicts.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
Virginia[[725]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	2 yrs.	1 yr.	30 da.	State poll tax for 3 years preceding election paid, unless an old soldier.	One might be permanently registered before 1904 if he was the owner of property on which the State tax was $1.	Able to make application for registration in his own handwriting, and to prepare and deposit ballot without aid.
Washington[[767]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	90 da.	30 da.
West Virginia[[768]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	60 da.	Actual and bona fide resident.
Wisconsin[[769]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	10 da.	10 da.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
Virginia[[715]]	One might be permanently registered before 1904 (1) if, before 1902, he served in the army or navy of the U. S. or of the Confederate States or (2) if he was the son of such a one, or if he was the owner of property on which the State tax was $1, or (3) if he was able to read and explain or understand and explain the Constitution of Va.		One without ability to read might be permanently registered before 1904, if he could understand and explain the Constitution of Va.	Paupers.	Idiots and insane.	Unrestored convicts and duellists.
Washington[[767]]	One who was entitled to vote in 1889 continued to be a voter under the State Constitution.				Idiots and insane.	Unrestored convicts.	Indians not taxed.
West Virginia[[768]]				Paupers.	Idiots and lunatics.	Convicts of treason, felony, and bribery in elections.
Wisconsin[[769]]					Insane, under guardianship.	Convicts.	Tribal Indians.

State or Territory.	Citizenship.	Age.	Sex.	Previous Residence in—			Payment of Taxes.	Ownership of Property.	Educational Test.
				State.	County.	Precinct.
Wyoming[[770]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male or female.	1 yr.	60 da.	10 da.			Able to read Constitution of State in English.
Alaska[[771]]	Citizen of U. S. or alien who has declared intention.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	6 mo. in corporation.			To be voter in municipal election, one must own substantial property interests in the municipality.
Arizona[[772]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	30 da.	30 da.
Hawaii[[773]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.	3 mo. in representative district.				Able to speak, read and write English or Hawaiian.
New Mexico[[774]]	Citizen of U. S.	21 yrs.	Male.	6 mo.	3 mo.	3 mo.
Philippines[[775]]	Native of Philippines.	23 yrs.	Male.		6 mo. in district.		Annual tax of $15 paid.	Owner of property assets at $250.	Able to speak, read and write English or Spanish.
Porto Rico[[723]]	Citizen of Porto Rico.	21 yrs.	Male.	1 yr.

State or Territory.	“Grandfather Clause.”	“Character Clause.”	“Understanding Clause.”	Persons Excluded from Suffrage.
				Paupers.	Insane.	Criminals.	Indians.	Chinese.
Wyoming[[770]]	One entitled to vote under old Constitution might continue to vote under new Constitution of 1889.				Idiots and insane.	Convicts of felony.
Alaska[[771]]
Arizona[[772]]					Idiots, insane under guardianship.	Convicts of felony.
Hawaii[[773]]					Idiots and insane.	Unrestored convicts.
New Mexico[[774]]						Unpardoned convicts.	Indians, until disabilities removed by Congress.
Philippines[[775]]	One may vote if he held substantial office under the Spanish régime.
Porto Rico[[723]]					Insane.	Unpardoned felons.