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.^[1] It was approved by 79% of voters (although only 272 people voted). In Monrovia, , Bassa Cove and 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 and , two of the Liberian Declaration of Independence signatories.^[3] Opponents of the constitution in Bassa Cove and Bexley chose not to vote.^[4]

Results[]

Choice	Votes	%
For	214	78.68
Against	58	21.32
Total	272	100

By town[]

Town	For	Against
Bassa Cove	9	0
	16	0
Caldwell	22	6
Marshall	4	12
	21	0
Monrovia	111	0
New Georgia	31	3
Sinoe	0	37
Source: Huberich

References[]

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

[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

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[2]

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[4]

v t Elections and referendums in Liberia
Presidential elections	1847 1849 1851 1853 1855 1857 1859 1861 1863 1865 1867 1869 1871 1873 1875 1877 1879 1881 1883 1885 1887 1889 1891 1893 1895 1897 1899 1901 1903 1905 1907 1911 1915 1919 1923 1927 1931 1939 1943 1951 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1985 1997 2005 2011 2017
Legislative elections	1840 1847 1849 1851 1853 1855 1857 1859 1861 1863 1865 1867 1869 1871 1873 1875 1877 1879 1881 1883 1885 1887 1889 1891 1893 1895 1897 1899 1901 1903 1905 1907 1911 1915 1919 1923 1927 1931 1939 1943 1951 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1985 1997 2005 2011 2014 2017 2020
Local elections	...
Referendums	1846 1847 1849 1861 1869 1870 1907 1927 1935 1943 1945 1946 1949 1955 1972 1975 1984 2011 2020
See also: Elections and referendums in the Republic of Maryland