Minor v. Happersett
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| Minor v. Happersett | |
| Court | Supreme Court of the United States |
|---|---|
| Citation | |
| Date decided | March 29, 1875 |
Facts
Virginia Minor (1824 - 1894) sought to vote in Missouri.
Issues
Is voting in US elections a privilege of citizenship?
Holding
The right to vote isn't a privilege of citizenship.
Reasons
When the federal Constitution was adopted in 1789, no state granted the right to vote to all persons. Women could not vote in 1789. Several states in 1789 had explicitly limited suffrage to men only. Additionally, all states had property qualifications for voting.
Comments
- Gender laws
- Susan_B._Anthony#Holding
- The 19th Amendment has overruled this decision.
