Before the 19th Amendment ratification 100 years ago, women's suffrage movement campaigned for 54 ballot measures in 30 states
-
The 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920. The 19th Amendment prohibited the government from denying or abridging the right to vote on account of sex.
-
Before the 19th Amendment, the women's suffrage movement also campaigned for changes to state constitutions to provide women with a right to vote. Suffragists Carrie Chapman Catt and Nettie Rogers Shuler, in their book Woman Suffrage and Politics (1923), wrote that state ballot measures "spun the main thread of suffrage activity" in the movement's earlier years and were seen as stepping stones to national suffrage. "I don't know the exact number of States we shall have to have," said Susan B. Anthony, "but I do know that there will come a day when that number will automatically and resistlessly act on the Congress of the United States to compel the submission of a federal suffrage amendment." When asked about federal support for women's suffrage in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt told the suffrage movement to "Go, get another State."
-
Until 1869, the American Equal Rights Association (AERA) was the leading suffragist organization in the United States. AERA dissolved due to disagreements over strategies and the 15th Amendment, which addressed race but not gender, and the right to vote. From AERA grew the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), which aimed to win suffrage for women on a state-by-state basis, and the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), which aimed to achieve suffrage through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. AWSA and NWSA reconsolidated in 1890, with the new organization focused on both state referendums and a federal amendment for women's suffrage.
-
Between 1867 and August 18, 1920, 54 measures to grant women's suffrage were on the ballot in 30 states. Voters approved 15 of the measures, giving women the right to vote in those states. Since women did not have suffrage when the ballot measures were put to a vote, male voters decided the outcome of suffrage ballot measures.
-
In 1867, Kansas became the first state to vote on a state constitutional amendment for women’s suffrage. Voters rejected the constitutional amendment, 69% to 31%.
-
From 1867 to 1889, male voters in Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington rejected ballot measures for women’s suffrage. Voters in Wyoming, however, approved their first state constitution in 1889. One of the provisions provided for women’s suffrage, making Wyoming the first state to give women the right to vote.
-
In 1893, Colorado became the first state to pass a standalone constitutional amendment on women’s suffrage, approving the measure, 55% to 45%.
-
Utah (1895) and Idaho (1896) followed Colorado, with voters in both states passing ballot measures that addressed women’s right to vote.
-
Between 1896 and 1910, the movement lost at the ballot box on 10 occasions.
-
After 1910, the state-level women’s suffrage movement accumulated victories west of the Great Plains. Washington (1910), California (1911), Arizona (1912), Oregon (1912), Montana (1914), and Nevada (1914) passed constitutional amendments. In Arizona, the male electorate voted a measure by 68% to 32%, which was the largest margin to approve a women's suffrage amendment. In 1917, Montana elected the first woman to Congress—Jeannette Rankin, who was president of the Montana Women's Suffrage Association and an organizer for the ballot measure campaigns in Washington and Montana.
-
With the exception of New Mexico—which never voted on a women’s suffrage ballot measure— the map of states that endorsed women’s suffrage and states that did not created a west-east divide. While 11 states east of the Mississippi voted on women’s suffrage ballot measures, just two approved them. New York passed an amendment in 1917, and Michigan passed one in 1918.
-
Most of the states that provided women with the right to vote before the 19th Amendment did not do so on their first attempts. Nine of the 15 states voted on women’s suffrage more than once before passing an amendment. Voters in Oregon and South Dakota voted on the issue six times.
-
According to the National Women's History Museum, the beginning of the U.S. women’s suffrage movement dates back to 1848. At the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, which was the first women’s rights convention in the United States, organizers declared that men and women are created equal and, therefore, have the same civic rights and privileges, including "the inalienable right to the elective franchise.”
Colorado extends mask mandate, 34 states have orders requiring mask wearing
-
Gov. Jared Polis (D) extended the state’s mask mandate, which was set to expire on Aug. 16. The mandate requires everyone 11 years of age and older to wear a mask in public indoor spaces, on public transit, or in a taxi or ride-share. Polis initially issued the mandate on July 16.
-
As of Aug. 12, 34 states had effective orders requiring individuals to wear masks in indoor or outdoor public spaces statewide. All 24 states with a Democratic governor had issued a statewide mask order. Ten out of 26 Republican states required face coverings.
Vermont voters select gubernatorial candidates for general election
Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York update list of states affected by quarantine order; Alaska and Kansas modify travel requirements
-
Govs. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), and Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) announced the additions of Hawaii, South Dakota, and the Virgin Islands to the joint travel advisory, requiring travelers from those areas to quarantine for 14 days upon entering Connecticut, New Jersey, or New York. The governors also removed Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio,
and Rhode Island from the list, bringing the total number of states and U.S. territories under quarantine requirement to 33 as of August 14.
-
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy's (R) updated travel restrictions went into effect for resident and nonresident travelers. Nonresident travelers must take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departing for Alaska and upload the results to the Alaska Travel Portal or show proof of the test to an airport screener. If the traveler arrives before receiving a test result, the traveler must self-quarantine until the results arrive. All travelers who test negative must social distance for 14 days or until receiving a second, negative test result taken between 7-14 days after arrival. Travelers who
arrive without having taken a test can buy one in Alaska for $250. Nonresident travelers are no longer permitted to skip the test and self-quarantine for 14 days, although that is still an option for Alaska residents.
-
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment removed Florida from its travel quarantine list and added a requirement that anyone who has traveled to or attended an out-of-state mass gathering of 500 or more people quarantine for 14 days upon entering or returning to Kansas. Anyone who traveled to or from Florida between June 29 and Aug. 11 must still complete a two-week quarantine.
Mayor of Gilbert, Arizona, resigns
-
Gilbert, Arizona, Mayor Jenn Daniels announced August 11 she was resigning effective immediately. Daniels did not cite a reason. She stated: “Thank you to those who put their trust in me to lead. You have been patient and generous, and I will always be grateful for this remarkable experience.”
-
Vice Mayor Scott Anderson will serve as interim mayor until the Gilbert Town Council appoints a replacement.
-
Daniels did not file for re-election this year. The city held a general election for the position last week, with Matt Nielsen and Brigette Peterson advancing to a runoff scheduled for Nov. 3.
-
Daniels identifies as a Republican. Gilbert is the 91st-largest among the top 100 cities in the U.S. by population. In those cities, 64 mayors are affiliated with the Democratic Party, 28 are affiliated with the Republican Party, three are independents, and four identify as nonpartisan or unaffiliated.
Voters decide state executive and legislative races in five states
-
Four states held statewide primaries on August 11, 2020: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Georgia also held primary runoffs in those races where no candidate
received a majority of the vote in the primary in that state's June 9 primaries.
-
There were 706 state executive and legislative seats up for election, including six state executive seats, 155 state Senate seats, and 545 state House seats.
-
The following information was current as of August 13. At that time, some races were still too close to call.
-
Across the five states, 605 incumbents filed for re-election to the 706 seats. Preliminary results indicate at least four incumbents were defeated.
-
Five state executive incumbents filed for re-election and all won their respective primaries.
-
In the state Senate elections, 134 incumbents filed for re-election to 155 seats. At least one did not advance to the general election. Meanwhile, in the state House elections, 466 incumbents competed for re-election to 545 seats. At least three lost their bids, but this number may grow as results are finalized.
Voters to decide among seven candidates in primary for Miami-Dade County Mayor
-
Seven candidates are running in Miami-Dade County’s nonpartisan mayoral primary on August 18. Incumbent Carlos A. Gimenez (R) has reached his consecutive term limit after nine years in office and is seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Four candidates have led the mayoral field in fundraising and media coverage:
-
Alexander Penelas previously served as Miami’s mayor from 1990-1996 before reaching his consecutive term limit. His campaign website lists expanding mass transit options, addressing climate change, and increasing accessible housing as his key issues.
-
Daniella Levine Cava currently serves as a County Commissioner. On her campaign website, Cava says her key issues include investing in infrastructure, addressing climate change, and implementing a paid sick leave policy.
-
Esteban “Steve” Bovo Jr. currently serves as a County Commissioner. His campaign website discusses expanding transit accessibility, economic development, and supporting law enforcement as some of his key issues.
-
Xavier Suarez currently serves as a County Commissioner and formerly served as the mayor of the city of Miami from 1985-1993 and 1997-1998. In an interview with The Miami Herald, he said his campaign priorities include eliminating transit fares and pointed to his record as commissioner in expanding access to housing and rehabilitation efforts.
-
Monique Nicole Barley, who works at a law firm, and Ludmilla Domond, a real estate broker, will also appear on the ballot. Uber driver Carlos Antonio de Armas has qualified as a write-in candidate.
Willis defeats incumbent Fulton County District Attorney in primary runoff
-
Fani Willis defeated incumbent Paul Howard Jr. in the Democratic primary runoff for district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia. Willis received 74% of the vote to Howard’s 26%.
-
Both candidates advanced to a runoff after neither received at least 50% of the vote in the June 9 primary. During that election, Willis received 42% to Howard’s 35%. A third candidate, Christian Wise Smith, received 23%.
-
Ahead of the primary, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that “both candidates have been fiercely attacking one another … Howard has criticized Willis for accepting donations from police unions. Willis has condemned the DA for the sexual harassment complaints filed against him. (Howard strongly denies the allegations.)”
-
Howard has served as Fulton County District Attorney since 1997. No Republican candidates filed to run for the office.
Hawaii voters decide primary races for state legislature, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
-
The statewide primary election for Hawaii took place on August 8. Candidates ran in elections for the following offices:
-
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (four seats)
-
State Senate (13 seats)
-
State House (51 seats)
-
Ballotpedia also covered local elections in the city of Honolulu. Honolulu is a consolidated city-county and is the 11th largest city by population in the United States.
-
Hawaii has a Democratic state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.
State and local officials in Utah, Kentucky, Hawaii announce COVID-19 test results
-
Utah state Rep. Deidre Henderson (R), who represents District 7, announced on Twitter she tested positive for coronavirus. Henderson is the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.
-
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced on August 10 he was self-quarantining after someone in his office tested positive for coronavirus. He announced on Aug. 11 that his test came back negative.
-
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced on August 11 that he had tested negative for COVID-19 after feeling ill earlier in the day.
Ballot Measures Update
Special Elections
-
Fifty-six state legislative special elections have been scheduled in 26 states so far this year, with 37 seats having taken place already. Heading into those races, Democrats had previously controlled 14 of the seats, while Republicans previously controlled 23. One seat flipped from Democratic control to Republican control, and six seats flipped from Republican control to Democratic control.
-
In special elections between 2011 and 2019, one party (either Republicans or Democrats) saw an average net gain of four seats nationally each year.
-
An average of 56 seats were filled through special elections in each of the past five even years (2010: 30, 2012: 46, 2014: 40, 2016: 66, 2018:
99).
-
An average of 88 seats were filled through special elections in each of the past five odd years (2011: 95, 2013: 84, 2015: 88, 2017: 98, 2019:
77).
-
Upcoming special elections include:
States in session
Seven states—California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—are in regular session.
|
