Chap. 192.—JOINT RESOLUTION amending the Third Article of
the Constitution.

Approved March 20, 1875.

1. Resolved. by the senate and house of delegates (a major-
ity of the members elected to both houses agreeing thereto),
That the following amendments, and the schedule annexed
thereto, be and they are hereby referred to the general as-
sembly, to be chosen at the next general election of senators
and members of the house of delegates, for its concurrence,
in conformity with article twelve of said constitution, viz:
Strike from the constitution of Virginia the first section
»f the third article, in reference to the elective franchise and
jualifications for office, which are in these words:

ARTICLE THIRD.
Elective franchise and qualifications for office.

§ 1. Every male citizen of the United States, twenty-one
years old, who shall have been a resident of this state twelve
months, and of the county, city or town in which he shall
offer to vote, three months next preceding any election, shall
be entitled to vote upon all questions submitted to the peo-
ple at such election: provided, that no officer, soldier, sea-
man or marine of the United States army or navy shall
be considered a resident of this state, by reason of being sta-
tioned therein: and provided, also, that the following per-
sons shall be excluded from voting:

First. Idiots and lynatics.

Second. Persons convicted of bribery in any election, em-
bezzlement of public funds, treason or felony.

Third. No person who, while a citizens of this state, has,
since the adoption of this constitution, fought a duel with
deadly weapon, sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel
with deadly weapon, either within or beyond the boundaries
of this state, or knowingly conveyed a challenge, or aided or
assisted in any manner in fighting a duel, shall be allowed
to vote or hold any office of honer, profit or trust, under
this constitution.

And in lieu thereof insert the following:

§ 1. Every male citizen of the United States, twenty-one
years old, who shall have been a resident of the state twelve
months, and of the county, city or town in which he shall
offer to vote, three months next preceding any electior, and
shall have paid to the state, before the day of election, the
Capitation tax required by law for the preceding year, shall
be entitled to vote for members of the general assembly, and
all officers elected by the people: provided, that no offi¢er,
soldier, seaman or marine of the United States army or navy
shall be considered a resident of this state by reason of being
stationed therein: and provided, also, that the following per-
sons rhall be excluded from voting:

First. Idiots and lunatics.

Second. Persons convicted of bribery in any election, em-
bezzlement of public funds, treason, felony, or petit larceny.

Third. No person who, while a citizen of this state, has,
since the adoption of this constitution, fought a duel with a
deadly weapon, sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel
with a deadly weapon, either within or beyond the bounda-
ries of this state, or knowingly conveyed a challenge, or
aided or assisted in any manner in fighting a duel, shall be
allowed to vote or hold any office of honor, profit or trust,
under this constitution.
Strike out the fourth section of the same article, which is
in the following words:

§ 4. The general assembly shall, at its first session under
this constitution, enact a general registration law; and every
person offering or applying to register, shall take and sub-
scribe, before the officer charged with making a registration
of voters, the following oath:

“Tl, , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am not
disqualified from exercising the right of suffrage by the con-
stitution framed by the convention which assembled in the
city of Richmond, on the third of December, eighteen hun-
dred and sixty-seven, and that I will support and defend the
same to the best of my ability.”

Schedule.

2. That all elections held subsequent to the ratification of
these amendments by the people, before the adjournment of
the next regular session of the legislature, held after such
ratification, sball be. had and conducted under and in accord-
ance with the election laws and registration laws which may
be in force at the time of such ratification, unless the same
shall have been sooner amended or repealed by the general
assembly. .