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* Tom Kacich writes about Mary Perkins, who became the first woman ever to vote in Champaign County 100 years ago next month. He also has the low-down on the weird restrictions on Illinois women voters at the time…
Mrs. Perkins and the 119 other female voters in Champaign owed their vote that day to the suffragists who campaigned for voting equality, and to 83 Illinois House members who voted 100 years ago this week — on June 11, 1913 — to give women a limited right to vote.
According to the bill that passed, they could vote for presidential electors but not in preferential presidential primaries. They could vote for University of Illinois trustees, but not for a county superintendent of schools. They could vote for county surveyor and collector, but not county judge or sheriff. They could vote for mayor or alderman, but not for state senator, state representative or congressman. […]
It would be another seven years before women in Illinois had the full right to vote. Congress passed the 19th Amendment on June 4, 1919, and Illinois was among the first states to ratify it (six days later). The 19th Amendment took effect in August 1920.
It’s also worth noting that total female turnout for the bond referendum which Ms. Perkins voted on was just 12 percent of the total, 120 out of 985. Nowadays, women vote in higher numbers than men, and have for decades.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 9:09 am
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And everything has gone downhill since…
Seriously, though, did they also get the right to hold office then, or did that come along later?
Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 9:47 am
We should ask Tom if he wrote the original story lol.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 9:54 am
Unfortunately, women as a percentage of the total population are under represented in elective office in the nation and State.
I’ve run for local office and find that women have a harder time asking for campaign donations than do men. It seems smarmy, but if you don’t ask, you don’t receive…or win…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:08 am
“Oh don’t lean on me man, cause you can’t afford the ticket
Im back from suffragette city
Oh don’t lean on me man
Cause you aint got time to check it
You know my suffragette city
Is outta sight…shes all right”
(Sufragette City - David Bowie)
Appropos of nothing.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:43 am
Women were not eligible for jury duty for quite a few years after receiving the vote.
Comment by Esquire Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:10 am
we still don’t have equal pay for equal work…this really sucks especially when women are employed in ever greater numbers in the work force and many are primary or solo earners for their families as well…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:20 am
I’m glad Illinois was not engaged in voting suppression shenanigans that were proliferating in the last election, like reducing early voting hours and requiring photo ID’s to vote. There is statistically negligible in-person voter identity fraud. These laws were passed to discourage and disqualify certain types of people from voting. That stuff backfired. African-Americans overcame long voting lines and voted in higher percentages than whites for the first time in history, for president.
I agree with Loop Lady and support equal pay for women. Also, for all of Illinois’ legislative problems, I’m glad we didn’t pass a mandatory ultrasound bill for abortions, like our neighbor just did.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 1:26 pm
If they ever give ‘em the vote, God help us.
Rooster Cogburn
Comment by votecounter Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 1:41 pm
The vote was limited, but women’s suffrage in Illinois still preceded passage of the 19th Amendment.
Everything is a struggle.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 2:22 pm
and Word, Oak Park women led the effort as I am sure you know…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 2:45 pm
It’s interesting that before women had the right to vote for county superintendent according to Kasich’s article, that Emma Rebman was elected as county superintendent in Johnson County in 1910. She later owned the land that became Ferne Clyffe State Park.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 3:59 pm
Its too bad they used their early power for destructive progressive era prohibition laws.
I believe that the modern nanny state is fueled by women voters with roots in their early “success” with alcohol prohibition, but JMHO and “just stirring the pot”, (JSTP).
Comment by CarrollCounty Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 4:07 pm
–I believe that the modern nanny state is fueled by women voters with roots in their early “success” with alcohol prohibition,–
You might want to read a history book not recommended by Glenn Beck.
The Progressives were hardly the driving force behind prohibition. And the 18th Amendment came before the 19th.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 4:31 pm