Rhode Island Constitution articles 2 Of Suffrage
Here’s a summary of Article II of the Rhode Island Constitution, titled “Of Suffrage”:
Rhode Island Constitution — Article II: Of Suffrage
🔹 Purpose:
This article defines the qualifications and regulations regarding the right to vote in Rhode Island.
Key Provisions:
Right to Vote
Every male citizen of the United States who is twenty-one years old or older and who has resided in Rhode Island for at least one year is entitled to vote.
(Note: The Rhode Island Constitution has been amended since its original form to expand suffrage rights beyond this original restriction.)
Residency Requirement
Voters must have lived within the state and their voting district for a minimum period (historically one year).
Taxpayer Requirement
Historically, voters were required to pay a state or local tax or rent to qualify (a property or taxpaying requirement).
Exclusions
Persons convicted of felonies or those judged mentally incompetent may be disqualified from voting.
Amendments and Changes
Subsequent amendments have removed racial and property qualifications, extending suffrage to all citizens 18 and older.
✅ Summary:
Article II originally set restrictive voting qualifications, including age, residency, and taxpaying requirements.
Over time, Rhode Island amended these provisions to comply with federal law, granting universal adult suffrage regardless of race, sex, or property ownership.
The article reflects the fundamental democratic principle of the right to vote, evolving with the state's and nation's legal standards.
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