CHAP. 309.—JOINT RESOLUTIONS proposing an amendment to
the first section, article 3 of the Constitution, concerning the elective
franchise.

1. Resolved by the Senate and House of Delegates (a ma-
jority of the members elected to each of the two houses agree-
ing thereto), That the following amendment be and is hereby
proposed to the constitution of Virginia, and is hereby referred
to the general assembly to be chosen at the next general elec-
tion of senators and members of the House of Delegates for
its concurrence, in conformity with article twelve of ‘said con-
stitution: Strike from the constitution of Virginia the first
section of the third article, in reference to the elective fran-
chise and qualifications for office, which is 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 the state twelve
months, and of the county, city or town in which he shall offer
to vote three months next preceding any election, and shall
have paid to the state, before the day of election, the capita-
tion tax required by law for the preceding year, shall be enti-
tled to vote for members of the general assembly and all officers
elected by the people: provided, that no officer, soldier, seaman
or marine of the United States army or navy shall be consid-
ered a resident of this state by reason of being stationed there-
n: and provided, also, that the following persons shall be
»xcluded from voting :

First. Idiots and lunatics.

Second. Persons convicted of bribery in any election, em-
»ezzlement 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
leadly weapon, sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel
with a 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 honor, profit or trust under this con-
stitution—

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 this state twelve
months, and of the county, city or town in which he shall offe?
to vote three months next preceding any election, shall be enti-
tled to vote for members of the general assembly and all officers
elected by the people: provided, that no officer, soldier, seaman
or marine of the United States army or navy shall be consid-
ered a resident of this state by reason of being stationed there-
in: and provided, also, that the following perEons shall be ex-
cluded from voting :

First. Idiots and lunatics.

Second. Persons convicted of bribery in any election, embez-
zlement 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 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 honor, profit or trust under this constitution.

2. Resolved, That the clerk of the House of Delegates or
the clerk of the Senate be required, or if a vacancy happen in
both of said offices, the presiding officer of either house of the
general assembly be authorized and requested to cause the pro-
posed amendments and these resolutions to be published in
some newspaper published in the city of Richmond for three
months previous to the time of chosing the members of the
general assembly, at the next general election of senators and
members of the House of Delegates.

3. Resolved, That the clerk of the Senate and the clerk of
the House of Delegates be required to transmit to the general
assembly, to be chosen at the next general election of senators
and members of the House of Delegates, a certified copy of
said amendments and these resoiutions, together with a certifi-
cate of publication by the publisher of the newspaper in which
the proposed amendments shall have been published.
in: and provided, also, that the following persons shall 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 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 honor, profit or trust under this con-
stitution—

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 this state twelve
months, and of the county, city or town in which he shall offe?
to vote three months next preceding any election, shall be enti-
tled to vote for members of the general assembly and all officers
elected by the people: provided, that no officer, soldier, seaman
or marine of the United States army or navy shall be consid-
ered a resident of this state by reason of being stationed there-
in: and provided, also, that the following persons shall be ex-
cluded from voting :

First. Idiots and lunatics.

Second. Persons convicted of bribery in any election, embez-
zlement 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 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 honor, profit or trust under this constitution.

2. Resolved, That the clerk of the House of Delegates or
the clerk of the Senate be required, or if a vacancy happen in
both of said offices, the presiding officer of either house of the
general assembly be authorized and requested to cause the pro-
posed amendments and these resolutions to be published in
some newspaper published in the city of Richmond for three
months previous to the time of chosing the members of the
general assembly, at the next general election of senators and
members of the House of Delegates.

3. Resolved, That the clerk of the Senate and the clerk of
the House of Delegates be required to transmit to the general
assembly, to be chosen at the next general election of senators
and members of the House of Delegates, a certified copy of
said amendments and these resoiutions, together with a certifi-
cate of publication by the publisher of the newspaper in which
the proposed amendments shall have been published.