Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1884 — QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS. [ARTICLE]

QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS.

An Epitome of the Laws of the Ser* eral States Relating to the SabjecL Naturalization, Registration, and Residence Requisites—The Disfranchised Classes. Under the electoral system practiced In this country the States have the exclusive power of declaring, each for itself, which of the citizens shall vote; but in no-case shall any person be excluded from voting on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The States, however, cannot grant the franchise indiscriminately. for the National Government has the exclusive authority to declare who shall be citizens. Any State may adopt an educational or property franchise or condition, providing it applies equally to all citizens. Under the Constitution of the United States “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United Statesand of the State wherein they reside;" and “no State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens ol the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law." In all States the right of suffrage is limited to male citizens 21 years of age, except that in Colorado. Massachusetts, and a few other States women are permitted to vote at school-district elections. There is a great lack of uniformity in the suffrage laws of the several States, as the foUowing will show: in Alabama the requirement is that the voter must be a citizen, or have declared his intention to become a citizen, must have been in the State one year, in the county three months, and in the voting precinct one month. Indians, idiots, and men convicted of crime can not vote. In Arkansas, citizens, or those who have jdeclared their intention to become such, except Indians, idiots, and criminals, may vote after a residence -of one year in the State, six months in the county, and ope month in the voting precinct Registration is prohibited as being a bar to suffrage. In California, only actual, citizens can vote after having been one year in the State, ninety days in the county, and thirty days in the voting precinct. Registration is required by law, and Chinese, Indians, idiots, and convicts are excluded from voting. In Colorado, citizens, or those who have declared their intention to become such, may vote after a residence of six months in the State, persons in prison only being excluded. Registration is required by the constitution. In Connecticut, actual citizens, except those unable to read and convicts, can vote after a residence of one year in the State, and six months in the county and voting precinct. Registration is required by law. In Delaware, actual county taxpayers, except convicts, the insand, paupers, and idiots, may vote after a residence of one year in the State and one month in the county. In Florida, citizens of the United States, or those who have declared their intention to become such, except betters on elections, duelists, idiots, the insane, and criminals, can vote after a residence of one year in the State and six months in the county. Registration is required by the constitut'on. In Georgia, actual citizens, except non taxpayers, criminals, idiots, and the insane, can vote after a resdence of one year in the State and six months in the count v. In Illinois, actual citizens, except convicts, may vote after a residence of one year in the State, ninety days in the county, and thirty days in the voting p; ecinct. Registration is required by law. In Indiana, citizens, or those who have declared thiir intention so to become, except fraudulent voters and bribers, may vote after a residence of six months in the State, sixty days in the county, and thirty days in the voting precinct. In lowa, actual citizens, except criminals, idiot’, and the insane, may vote after a residence of six months in the State and sixty days in the county. Registration is required by law. In Kansas, citizens, or those who have declared their intention to become so, except rebels, convicts, idiots, and the insane, can vote after a residence of six months in the State and thirty days in the voting precinct. Registration is required in cities only. In Kentucky, under the State law, only free white male citizens, except convicts, can vote after a residence of two years in the State, one year in the county, and sixty days in the voting precinct, but the exclusion of colored citizens being in conflict with the Federal Constitution, the law limiting the suffrage to white citizens is of no effect. In Louisiana, citizens, orthose who have declared their intention to become such, except criminals, idiots, ana tIA; Insane, can vote as ter a residence of one in the State, six months in the county, and thirty days in the voting precinct. In Maine, actual citizens, except paupers and Indians not taxed, may vote after a residence of three months in the State. Registration is required. In Maryland, actual citizens, except criminal's, those guilty, of bribery, and the insane, can vote after a residence of one year in the State and six months in the county. Registration is required. In Massachusetts, citizens, except paupers, illiterates, non-taxpayers, and persons under guardians, can vote after aresldence of one year in the State and six months in the precinct. Registration is required. In Michigan, citizens, or those who have declared their intention of becoming such, except duelists, can vote after a residence of three months in the State and ten days in the voting precinct. Registration is required. In Minnesota, citizens, or those who have declared their intention to become so, except convicts, lunatics, and idiots, can vote after a residence of four months in the State and ten days in the voting precinct. Registration is required. In Missouri, citizens, or those who have declared their intention to become so, except United States soldiers, paupers, criminals, and lunatics, can vote after a residence of one year in the State and sixty days in the county. Registration is required in the cities only. In Mississippi, actual citizens, except criminals, idiot-*, and lunatics, can vote after a residence of six months in that State and one month in the county. Registration is required. In Nebraska, citizens, or those who have declared their intention of becoming so. except United States soldiers, convicts, and idiots, can vote alter a residence of six months in the State. Registration is required. In Nevada, citizens, or those who have declared their intention so to become, except criminals, idiots, and lunatics, can vote after a residence of six months in the State and thirty days in the county. Registration is required. In New Hampshire, actual citizens, except paupers, can vote after a residence of six months in the town. Registration is required. In New Jersey, actual citizens, except criminals, paupers, lunatics, and idiots, can vote after a residence of one year in the State and five months in the county. Registration is required in cities of 10,000 Inhabitants or over. In New York, actual citizens, except convicts ana election-betters and bribers, may vote after a residence u, one year in the State, tour months in the county, and thirty davs in the voting precinct, lieristration is required in cities of 10,000 inhabitants or over. In North Caiolina, actual citizens, except convicts, can vote after a residence of twelve months in the State and ninety days in the county. Registr tion is required.’ In Ohio, actual citizens, except idiots and lunatics, can vote after a residence of one year in the State, thirty days in the county, and single men twenty days in the voting precinct. In Oregon, citizens, or those who have declared their intention of becoming so, except Chinamen, United States soldiers, convicts, lunatics, and idiots, may vote after a residence of six months in the State. In Pennsylvania, actual citizens, except nontaxpayers and political bribers, can vote after a residence of one year in the State and two months in the voting prednet. Registration is required. In Rhode Island, actual taxpaying citizens who possess property to the value of $134 can vote after a residence of one year in the State and six months in the towns. Registration is required. In South Carolina, actual citizens, except United States soldiers, duelists, paupers, criminals, lunatics and idiots, may vote after a residence of one year in the State’ and sixty days in the county. Registration is required. In Tennessee, actual citizens, except nonpayers of poll-tax, may vote after a residence of twelve months in the State and six months In the county. In Texas, citizens, or those who have declared their intention of becoming so, except United States soldiers, criminals, idiots, lunatics, and paupers, can vote after a residence of one year in the State and six months in the county and voting precinct. Registration is prohibited bv the constitution. i In Vermont, actual citizens, except bribers, can vote after a residence of one year in the State. Registration is required. In Virginia, actual citizens, except United States soldiers, non-payers of capitation tax, duelists, convicts, idiots, and lunatics, can vote after a residence of twelve months in the State ana three months in towns. Registration' is required. In West Virginia, actual citizens, except convicts, paupers, and lunatics, can vote after a residence of one year in the State and six months

in the county. Registration is prohibited by th© constitution. In Wisconsin, citizens or those who have declared their Intention ot becoming so, except duelists, bribers, betters, convicts. In nation, and idiots, may vote after a residence of one year in the State. It will be observed that but one State, Kentucky. requires a residence of more than one year in the State before acquiring the right to vote; twenty-five require one year, eight require six months, one requires four months, and two require but three months. Only one. Kentucky, in its laws, conflicts with the Constitution of the United States.