(Do you foresee jokes about New Jersey becoming a red state by 2008 as a result?)
Thanks to a ruling last week, “idiots” have been granted suffrage rights in the state of New Jersey. Prior to last week, this was strictly forbidden by New Jersey’s constitution.
In 1844, language was added to the state constitution to specify who had the right to vote. It’s interesting to see how language changes over time. Text of the old law claimed, “No idiot or insane person shall enjoy the right of suffrage,” and the revised text reads, “No person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting shall enjoy the right of suffrage.”
The word idiot no longer has the same meaning that it carried in the 19th century, mentally ill. Yet, other states carry the same antiquated language, including Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico and Ohio.
Updated December 20, 2011 and originally published January 16, 2007. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the RSS feed or receive daily emails. Follow @flexo on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more updates.
Rank: Platinum
Luke Landes founded Consumerism Commentary in 2003 and has been building online communities since 1990. Luke, also known as Flexo, has contributed to PC World Magazine, US News, Forbes, and other publications. 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Has New Jersey said what it’s going to do to accomodate the 500% increase in eligible voters because of the new regulation? :)
Hahaha, just kidding. I love Jersey.
Seriously, the next time I meet someone who I think is an idiot, I’m going to call him or her a “person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting.”
I hold out a wan hope that this will result in fewer idiots actually being elected in my fair state!
>> Do you foresee jokes about New Jersey becoming a red state by 2008 as a result?
Or perhaps the idiots are already voting anyway, based on recent election results from New Jersey?