Elective Franchise and Qualifications for Office (1887)

Article III. 

Elective Franchise and Qualifications for Office.

Sec. 1. Every male citizen of the United States, twenty-one years old, who shall have been a resident of this state twelve months, and of the county, city or town in which he shall offer to vote three months next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote for members of the general assembly and all officers elected by the people: provided that no officer, soldier, seaman, or marine of the United States army or navy, shall be considered a resident of this state by reason of being stationed therein: and provided, also, that the following persons shall be excluded from voting:

     First. Idiots and lunatics.

     Second. Persons convicted of bribery in any election, embezzlement of public funds, treason, felony, or petit larceny.

     Third. No person who, while a citizen of this state, has, since the adoption of this constitution, fought a duel with a deadly weapon, sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with a deadly weapon, either within or beyond the boundaries of this state, or knowingly conveyed a challenge, or aided or assisted in any manner in fighting a duel, shall be allowed to vote or hold any office of honor, profit, or trust under this constitution.

Sec. 2. All elections shall be by ballot, and all persons entitled to vote shall be eligible to any office within the gift of the people, except as restricted in this constitution.

Sec. 3. All persons entitled to vote and hold office, and none others, shall be eligible to sit as jurors.

Sec. 4. No voter, during the time of holding any election at which he is entitled to vote, shall be compelled to perform military service, except in time of war or public danger, to work upon public roads, or to attend any court as suitor, juror or witness; and no voter shall be subject to arrest, under any civil process during his attendance at elections, or in going to or returning from them.

Oath of Office.

Sec. 5. All persons, before entering upon the discharge of any function as officers of this state, must take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: 

"I, _____ _____ do solemnity swear (or affirm) that I will support and maintain the constitution and laws of the United States, and the constitution and laws of the State of Virginia: that I recognize and accept the civil and political equality of all men before the law, and that I will faithfully perform the duty of _____ to the best of my ability: So help me God."