1847 Liberian constitutional referendum

1847 Liberian constitutional referendum

27 September 1847

Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 214 78.68%
No 58 21.32%

A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 27 September 1847. The new constitution would create a President with executive powers and a bicameral Legislature. It would also restrict voting rights to those of African descent and landowners.[1] It was approved by 79% of voters (although only 272 people voted). In Monrovia, Millsburg, Bassa Cove and Bexley 100% of voters supported the constitution, whilst 100% voted against it in Sinoe.[2] In Edina opponents of the constitution prevented the polling station opening, and a fist-fight broke out between Amos Herrnig and Ephraim Titler, two of the Liberian Declaration of Independence signatories.[3] Opponents of the constitution in Bassa Cove and Bexley chose not to vote.[4]

  1. ^ Elections in Liberia African Elections Database
  2. ^ Liberia Detailed Election Results African Elections Database
  3. ^ Nathaniel R Richardson (1959) Liberia's Past and Present, The Diplomatic Press and Publishing Company, p82
  4. ^ Charles Henry Huberich (1947) The political and legislative history of Liberia, Central Book Co., p846