The history of suffrage in New Jersey is unique. When the state constitution was written in 1776 it dictated “all inhabitants” who met the requirements of residency and having debt-free assets of 50 pounds could vote, including unmarried women. In a 1790 election law, the pronouns “he or she” were even used.

However, the laws were changed in 1807 because women voters in New Jersey were considered more likely to vote against the ruling Republican-Democratic Party, influencing the law to be rewritten allowing only white males to vote.

In the late 19th century, after the 14th Amendment theoretically freed the enslaved peoples of the United States, the women’s suffrage movement began to gain popularity. Although the idea of women voting was popular, there was strong opposition in groups known as anti-suffragettes, or antis.

Courtesy of Palczewski, Catherine H. Postcard Archive. University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.

This postcard has many elements all hinting at the masculinity that women could gain if they were given the right to vote.