Given the widely disparate and sharply conflicting views of suffrage, it is hardly surprising that the breadth of the franchise, and particularly the desirability of property requirements, became a major focus of controversy during the revolutionary era.
Arguments for and against a more democratic suffrage were voiced. The very act of declaring independence from Britain compelled the residents of each colony to form a new government, and the process of forming new governments inescapably brought the issue of suffrage to the fore. Who should be involved in creating a new government? Who had to consent to its design and structure? How broad should suffrage be in a republic?
The answers to these questions varied from state to state.
In New Jersey, a decentralized movement for reform, backed by artisans, city dwellers, and small landowners, succeeded in abolishing the freeholder requirement for voting. new provisions was instituted granting suffrage only to:
- Persons worth fifty pounds in proclamation money.
- Residency for one year.
PROCLAMATION MONEY was coin valued at six shillings.
In the final approved 1776 constitution, WOMAN were given the vote if they meet the requirements. The only state were woman were given the vote.
But in 1807, after a corrupt election, the Legislature passed a law that stated "no person shall vote in any state or county election for officers in the government of the United States or of this state, unless such person be a free, white male citizen."
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
No comments:
Post a Comment