"Vote on the Woman Suffrage Ballot" North Dakota Ballot Broadside, circa 1917

Presented is an original women's suffrage ballot broadside, dating to 1917.  The printed broadside advocates for the adoption of women's suffrage, with “VOTE ON THE Woman Suffrage Ballot FIRST AND BE SURE YOU VOTE YES” centered in bold black letters, with a checkmark next to "YES" printed at lower left. The document originates from North Dakota, with "N.D. Votes for Women League" printed at lower right. Broadsides like this one were intended to be displayed in windows of homes and retail shops, to further promote and publicize the suffragette cause. 

One of the earliest efforts to grant women full suffrage in the Dakota Territory was proposed in the Territorial House by Enos Stutsman in 1868. His woman suffrage bill passed the House, but was burdened with amendments in the Council and did not pass.  Yet the movement continued on. Throughout the territory, women and men began fighting and advocating for suffrage, in newspaper articles and public debates and meetings. In 1875, the Dakota Territory failed to pass woman suffrage by only one vote. Later, Dakota women gained the right to vote in school elections in 1883, casting their vote for county superintendent and school board contests. Women would use separate ballots limited to just these school issues and often used separate ballot boxes as well. 

In 1889, the Dakota territory entered the Union as two states, North and South Dakota. Full woman suffrage was vigorously debated and argued at the state’s constitutional convention, but was ultimately abandoned and left to future legislatures and voters to pass. 

Not to be deterred, North Dakota women joined local suffrage clubs and national organizations. In February of 1912, Clara Darrow organized the Votes for Women League in Fargo, North Dakota. Grand Forks, Dickinson, and a number of other towns established their own local chapters of the Votes for Women League soon after. In June 1912, activists created a statewide Votes for Women League. Together, suffragist leagues began to apply political power in the legislature and in towns around the state. However, when a suffrage bill passed the 1913 legislature, the male voters of North Dakota defeated the bill by referendum in 1914.

In 1917, North Dakota suffragists applied a new strategy. They introduced a bill that offered women partial suffrage. The bill named specific offices for women to vote on, including U. S. president and county and township offices, but women were still not allowed to vote for state governor or legislators. The partial suffrage bill won legislative approval.

When the United States Congress passed the 19th Amendment on June 4, 1919, North Dakota became the 20th state to ratify the amendment, on December 1, 1919. 

CONDITION:

Overall, in very good condition. Expected wear includes light creasing and toning. Minor edge chipping, with paper loss along right edge, since stabilized. Unframed Dimensions: 6" Hx 9” W. 

Archivally framed with acid-free mats and backing, UV glass, and a custom-built frame.

Framed Dimensions:13" H x 16 1/4" W x 1 1/2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.