except paupers, etc., who has resided within the State one year and in
the election district where she offers to vote ten days next preceding
any election pertaining to school matters, shall have the right to
vote at such election." This was discussed at length in both branches
of the Legislature and passed on March 13 by a large majority.

It was voted upon at the fall election in 1886 receiving a majority of
4,583, and thus became a law.[467]

It will be noted that this law specifies what women are to vote, viz.:
actual citizens who are not paupers; where women are to vote, viz.: in
the election districts where they reside; when women are to vote,
viz.: when there is an election pertaining to school matters. It does
not specify what women are to vote upon or for whom--they are full
voters without limitation at all elections pertaining to school
matters. What elections pertain to school matters? First, the general
election held once in two years, at which the State Superintendent of
Public Instruction and officers controlling the State University and
other State institutions are chosen. Second, the municipal election
which in most cities pertains to school matters, as a school board or
superintendent is chosen then. Third, other elections in country
villages where one or more school officers are chosen. Fourth, special
elections where subjects relating to schools are voted upon. Of
several suffrage bills reported at this session this one, called the
Ginty Bill, was the only one which provided for a submission of the
question to the voters, which shows the purpose of the framers to have
been to grant State or national suffrage. The broad scope of this law
practically giving women a vote on the election of all national, State
and municipal officers, was pointed out to the leaders of the suffrage
association by some of the men instrumental in its passage, notably
Senator Norman James, chairman of the Joint Special Committee that
reported the bill. It is claimed that the Legislature did not intend
to pass a law so far reaching, but the circumstances of its passage,
political conditions at the time, as well as the statements of its
members and of the committee, show that they did intend to pass this
broad, far-reaching law, giving suffrage to women.

To awaken women to the necessity of voting at the first
opportunity--the municipal election in 1887--the suffrage association
undertook an active canvass of the State which