Nine Voter Registration Rules In 1902

Election rules were much stricter in 1902 according to the voting regulations for the City of Erie, PA. Women were ineligible to vote at that time, and could not do so until the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1920. 

Voting in Erie, PA in 1902 was restricted to men who met the following nine Qualifications of Voters:

1. He shall have been a citizen of the United States at least one month.

2. He shall have resided in the State one year (or, if, having previously been a citizen of the State, he shall have removed therefrom and returned in six months) immediately preceding the election.

3. He shall have resided in the election district, where he shall offer to vote, at least two months immediately preceding the election. 

4. If 22 years of age, or upwards, he shall have paid within two years a State or County tax, which shall have been assessed at least two months and paid at least one month before the election.

5. The naturalization of the father, ipso facto, makes his minor children, then residing in the United States, citizens.

6. Any foreigner residing in the United States, from the age of 16 or under, may at the age of 21, become a citizen, without any previous declaration of intention.

7. Any foreigner, 21 years of age, who has been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, may become a citizen after a residence of one year in the United States, and without any previous declaration of intention.

8. Any foreigner (except Chinamen) three years on board a U.S. merchant vessel, may, after he is honorably discharged, become a citizen, providing he has declared his intention three years previously.

9. Any foreigner coming into the United States after he is 21 years of age may become a citizen, after a residence of five years or upwards, provided he has declared his intention to do so at least two years previously.

Find more historic facts and photos of Erie, Pennsylvania at Old Time Erie