Territorial Timeline

The Territorial Legislature granted women’s suffrage

In 1883 the Territorial Legislature passed a bill that gave women the right to vote. The law read "All American citizens, above the age of twenty-one years, and all American half-breeds, over that age, who have adopted the habits of the whites, and all other inhabitants of this territory, above that age. . .” It goes on to state that "Whenever the word 'his' occurs in the Chapter aforesaid, it shall be construed to mean 'his or her,' as the case may be."

In 1854 a bill was introduced in Washington's Territorial Legislature which would have given women the right to vote, but it failed to pass by one vote. Another bill was introduced in 1871 but once again the measure failed. Instead a law was passed specifically prohibiting women from voting.

In 1883 women’s suffrage was granted by the legislature and women voted in the 1884 elections. Yet in 1887, the Washington Territorial Supreme Court overturned the 1883 law. Another women’s suffrage act was passed in 1888 but it did not go into effect. Instead it was decided to include the measure on the ballot with the state constitution.

In 1889 the issue was included on the ballot to approve the new state constitution but the women’s suffrage measure failed to pass. Finally, in 1910 the Washington State Constitution was amended, granting women the right to vote. In 1920 the Federal act was passed, providing for women’s suffrage nationwide.