Washington English Language Requirement for Voting Amendment (1896)

Washington English Language Requirement for Voting Amendment
Election date November 3, 1896
Topic English language policy and Literacy, poll tax, and property voting requirements
Status Approved
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

Washington English Language Requirement for Voting Amendment was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Washington on November 3, 1896. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported requiring individuals to be able to read and speak English in order to vote.

A "no" vote opposed requiring individuals to be able to read and speak English in order to vote.

Election results

Washington English Language Requirement for Voting Amendment
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		28,019	70.04%
No		11,983	29.96%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for English Language Requirement for Voting Amendment was as follows:

“

For proposed amendment to Section 1, Article VI of constitution relative to qualifications of electors. Against proposed amendment to Section 1, Article VI of constitution relative to qualifications of electors.

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Washington Constitution

A two-thirds vote was needed in each chamber of the Washington State Legislature to refer the constitutional amendment to the ballot for voter consideration.

See also

1896 Measures

• 1896 Measures
• English language policy on the ballot
• Literacy on the ballot
• poll tax on the ballot
• and property voting requirements on the ballot
• 1896 legislative sessions

Washington

• Washington ballot measures
• Washington ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Washington Constitutional Amendment Ballot Measures
• Asotin County Sentinel, "Election Notice," October 17, 1896