Voter's Oath

The Voter's Oath, formerly the Freemen's Oath, is a citizen's oath taken before a notary public during voter registration in the U.S. state of Vermont.

The Freemen's Oath was a part of the 1777 Constitution of the Vermont Republic, the first constitution in the Western Hemisphere to grant universal suffrage to all men, regardless of property ownership. Several of the American colonies used a Freemen's Oath. Until the early twentieth century all official state commissions and certificates were headed by the words "BY THE FREEMEN OF VERMONT."

Original text of Vermont's Freemen's Oath

§ 42. Voter's qualifications and oathsEvery man of the full age of twenty-one years who is a citizen of Vermont, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the following oath or affirmation, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a voter of this state:

You solemnly swear (or affirm) that whenever you give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns the state of Vermont, you will do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any man.

Oath as revised with inclusive language

In November 2002, the Vermont General Assembly amended the language of the oath to reflect the inclusion of women. The oath was retitled the "Voter's Oath." The text of the revised oath reads:

§ 42. Voter's qualifications and oathsEvery person of the full age of eighteen years who is a citizen of the United States, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the following oath or affirmation, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a voter of this state:

You solemnly swear (or affirm) that whenever you give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns the State of Vermont, you will do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person.

Vermont is the only U.S. state with a voter's oath.

References

* "The Constitution of the State of Vermont: a Fascimile Copy of the 1777 Original." The Vermont Historical Society: 1977.

External links

* [http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/const2.htm Text of the Constitution of Vermont as amended November 5, 2002]
* [http://vermont-archives.org/govhistory/constitut/con77.htm Text of the Constitution of the Vermont Republic]