Hawaiian electoral legislation in the years 1840–1864

Abstract

The history of the Kingdom of Hawaii (1810–1893) is a story of the rapid modernization and westernization of the island society, including its legal system. Hawaiian electoral law existed since 1840, when The House of Representatives with elective members was established by the first constitution. The edict issued then was an imprecise, even primitive, regulation of the rules of electing deputies. People entitled to vote voted by sending letters to the monarch. The electoral act of 1850 can be regarded as much more modern one. It should be emphasized that at that time the right to vote was universal (though only for male citizens). The article presents the Hawaiian electoral legislation till the reform of 1864, when important changes took place.