January 8: Right to Vote Veto Overridden

On this date in History .... 1867:

Congress overrides President Andrew Johnson’s veto of a bill allowing “all men” the right to vote in the District of Columbia. 

 

This was the first bill giving black men the right to vote. It prohibited the right to vote to those who were on welfare or charity, those who were under guardianship, those who had been convicted of major crimes, and those who had voluntarily aided Confederate troops or spies during the war. 

 

In 1870, the Republican dominated Congress passed the 15^th Amendment preventing all states from prevention any male the right to vote.

 

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