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Austin Treasures: Online Exhibits from the Austin History Center

Photo: Jane McCallum
Jane McCallum and the Suffrage Movement Jane McCallum and the Suffrage Movement Photo: Jane McCallum
Primary Suffrage in Texas
Primary Suffrage in Texas

In Texas, the struggle for woman suffrage was carried out amidst the political turmoil of the Ferguson era. Governor James E. Ferguson, whom suffragists viewed as the "implacable foe of woman suffrage and of every great moral issue for which women stood," was inaugurated on January 12, 1915. After a bitter controversy involving Ferguson's efforts to control the University of Texas' faculty, finances, and Board of Regents, the Texas Senate voted to impeach Ferguson in September of 1917.

Quote: Attained my majority at last, thank you, registered to vote 6th of Travis Co. women.In one-party states such as Texas, voters in primary elections essentially had a voice in the election of candidates. Primary suffrage was also easier to obtain, requiring simple majorities in the House and Senate and the approval of the governor. In contrast, full woman suffrage necessitated amending the state constitution, thereby requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses of the state legislature, as well as voter approval.

At its January 1918 board meeting the Texas Equal Suffrage Association took action. William P. Hobby, who had assumed the governorship upon Ferguson's departure, was asked to submit the primary suffrage bill at a special legislative session scheduled to convene February 26 to consider prohibition. In return, the group promised to "use its influence and organization to assist him in his camp[aign] for Gov[ernor]."

The primary suffrage bill, introduced by San Angelo representative Charles B. Metcalfe, passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Hobby on March 26, 1918. The law went into effect only seventeen days before the July 27th primary and a highly publicized registration drive that opened on June 26. In Travis County, 5,856 women were registered -- a number almost equal to the expected number of male voters.

Photograph of Governor William P. Hobby Photograph of Governor William P. Hobby
[C 02846] enlarge image
Photograph of Governor James E. Ferguson Photograph of Governor James E. Ferguson
[C 02890] enlarge image
Printed flyer stating: Women Can Vote in Texas in July, 1918 - How, When and Where They Can Cast Ballots Printed flyer stating "Women Can Vote in Texas in July, 1918 - How, When and Where They Can Cast Ballots"
[FP E.4 B (Folder 4 #10)] enlarge image
Typewritten Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Board of the Texas Equal Suffrage Association, January 23, 1918 Typewritten Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Board of the Texas Equal Suffrage Association, January 23, 1918
[FP E.4 B.1 (Letter, January 23)] enlarge image
Printed flyer issued by the Woman's Campaign for Good Government instructing members in how to campaign for an investigation of Governor James E. Ferguson by the Legislature

Printed flyer issued by the Woman's Campaign for Good Government instructing members in how to campaign for an investigation of Governor James E. Ferguson by the Legislature
[FP II/34/4 (Campaign Material)] enlarge image
Photographic portrait of Charles Metcalf Photographic portrait of Charles Metcalf
[FP E.4 B.7 #3] enlarge image
Typewritten letter dated June 20, 1918, from Carrie Chapman Catt of the Leslie Woman Suffrage Commission, Inc. to Minnie Fisher Cunningham Typewritten letter dated June 20, 1918, from Carrie Chapman Catt of the Leslie Woman Suffrage Commission, Inc. to Minnie Fisher Cunningham
[FP E.4 E #2] enlarge image
Printed flyer titled: 'The Truth About Wage-Earning Women' issued by the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage Printed flyer titled "The Truth About Wage-Earning Women" issued by the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage
[FP E.4 G #172] enlarge image
Photograph of group of women on the steps of the Travis County Courthouse Women registering to vote at the Travis County Courthouse in 1918.
[PICA 11669] enlarge image
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Austin Suffrage Association | The Early Years | Primary Suffrage in Texas
Road to Ratification | Ratified and Released

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