Liberian constitutional referendum, 1943

Last updated
Coat of arms of Liberia.svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Liberia

A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 4 May 1943, [1] alongside general elections. The changes to the constitution required the president to be a Liberian citizen by birth or to have lived in Liberia for at least 25 years, as well as allowing constitutional referendums to be held separately from general elections. [1] The changes were approved by voters. [1]

Liberia republic in West Africa

Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south-southwest. It covers an area of 111,369 square kilometers (43,000 sq mi) and has a population of around 4,700,000 people. English is the official language and over 20 indigenous languages are spoken, representing the numerous ethnic groups who make up more than 95% of the population. The country's capital and largest city is Monrovia.

President of Liberia Wikimedia list article

The President of the Republic of Liberia is the head of state and government of Liberia. The president serves as the leader of the executive branch and as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia.

Constitutional change

The proposed changes would be to Chapters III and V. [1]

SectionOriginal textNew text
Chapter III
article 7
No person shall be eligible to the office of President, who has not been a citizen of this Republic for at least fifteen years; and who is not possessed of unencumbered real estate, of the value of two thousand and five hundred dollars.No person shall be eligible to the office of President, who is not a citizen of this Republic by birth or a naturalised citizen of over twenty-five years residence; and who is not possessed of unencumbered real estate, of the value of two thousand and five hundred dollars."
Chapter V
article 17
This Constitution may be altered whenever two-thirds of both branches of the Legislature shall deem it necessary; in which case the alteration or amendments shall first be considered and approved by the Legislature by the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of each branch and afterwards by them submitted to the people and adopted by two-thirds of all the electors at the next biennial meeting for the election of Senators and Representatives.This Constitution may be altered whenever two-thirds of both branches of the Legislature shall deem it necessary; in which case the alteration or amendments shall first be considered and approved by the Legislature by the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of each branch and afterwards by them submitted to the people and adopted by two-thirds of all the electors at a special election called for that purpose.

A two-thirds majority in the vote was necessary for the changes to be approved. [1]

Related Research Articles

A constitutional amendment is a modification of the constitution of a polity, organization or other type of entity. Amendments are often interwoven into the relevant sections of an existing constitution, directly altering the text. Conversely, they can be appended to the constitution as supplemental additions (codicils), thus changing the frame of government without altering the existing text of the document.

Elections in Italy

Italy elects, at the national level, a Parliament consisting of two houses: the Chamber of Deputies with 630 members; and the Senate of the Republic with 315 elected members, plus a few senators for life. The President of the Republic is elected for a seven-year term by the two houses of Parliament in joint session.

1985 Liberian general election

General elections were held in Liberia on 15 October 1985. These were the first elections since the 12 April 1980 military coup that brought Samuel Doe to power. During 1984, a new draft Constitutional referendum was approved, which allowed a 58 member civilian and military combined Interim National Assembly, headed by President Samuel Doe. The ban on political parties were lifted and four parties, namely, the President's National Democratic Party of Liberia, Liberian Action Party, Unity Party and Liberia Unification Party were in fray.

Constitution of Liberia

The Constitution of Liberia is the supreme law of the Republic of Liberia. The current constitution, which came into force on 6 January 1986, replaced the Liberian Constitution of 1847, which had been in force since the independence of Liberia. Much like the 1847 Constitution, the Constitution creates a system of government heavily modeled on the Federal Government of the United States.

This national electoral calendar for the year 2011 lists the national/federal direct elections held in 2011 in the de jure and de facto sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included.

2011 Liberian constitutional referendum

A referendum to amend the Constitution of Liberia was held on 23 August 2011. Voters chose whether to ratify four amendments regarding judge tenure, elections scheduling, presidential candidate requirements and the electoral system. The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) oversaw the referendum.

1847 Liberian constitutional referendum

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. It was approved by 79% of voters. In Monrovia, Millsburg, Bassa Cove and Bexley 100% of voters supported the constitution, whilst 100% voted against it in Sinoe. 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 Declaration of Independence signatories. Opponents of the constitution in Bassa Cove and Bexley chose not to vote.

1849 Liberian general election

General elections were held in Liberia on 1 May 1849, alongside a constitutional referendum. The result was a victory for incumbent President Joseph Jenkins Roberts.

1943 Liberian general election

General elections were held in Liberia on 4 May 1943 alongside a constitutional referendum. William Tubman of the True Whig Party was elected unopposed. He took office on 3 January 1944.

1935 Liberian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 7 May 1935, alongside general elections. The changes to the constitution ensured that President Edwin Barclay remained in office without the need for the presidential elections due that year. Although it was claimed to be for economic reasons, the government feared that an election may lead to instability that would lower confidence of foreign powers and creditors. The next elections took place in 1939.

A constitutional referendum was held in Maryland Colony on 29 March 1854. The new constitution was approved by voters and general elections were subsequently held on 15 May, before independence was declared on 8 June.

1949 Liberian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 3 May 1949. The changes to the 1847 constitution were approved in the Legislature in 1948, and abolished the two-term limit on presidents. The change was approved by voters.

1955 Liberian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 3 May 1955. The changes to the constitution would grant women in the Provinces the right to vote, grant all women the right to be elected to Parliament, and remove the section detailing that the Chief Justice would oversee any impeachment of the President or Vice-President. The changes were approved by voters.

1972 Liberian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 4 April 1972. The changes to the constitution would lower the voting age from 21 to 18, and had been announced by President William R. Tolbert, Jr. shortly after taking office. On 15 February the date of the referendum was set to coincide with a by-election for the Vice Presidency. The change required a two-thirds majority in favour, and was approved by voters.

1849 Liberian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 1 May 1849, alongside general elections. The constitutional changes would increase the number of members of the House of Representatives for Sinoe County from one to three. The proposals were approved by voters.

1942 Uruguayan constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Uruguay on 29 November 1942, alongside general elections. The new constitution was approved by 77.17% of voters.

May 1990 Colombian Constitutional Assembly referendum

A referendum on electing a Constitutional Assembly was held in Colombia on 27 May 1990 alongside presidential elections. The proposal was approved by 96% of voters. A Constitutional Assembly was later elected in December 1990 and produced the 1991 constitution.

1931 Bolivian constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Bolivia on 11 January 1931. Voters were asked whether they approved of nine separate proposed amendments to the constitution, all of which were approved.

2017 national electoral calendar

This national electoral calendar for the year 2017 lists the national/federal direct elections held in 2017 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included.

The following lists events that happened during 1943 in Liberia.

References