Liberia Civic verified record

1972 Voting Age Referendum

LIBERIA CIVIC HISTORICAL RECORD · CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

On 4 April 1972, Liberians voted on a constitutional amendment lowering the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen.

Question before voters

The proposal amended the suffrage provision in Article I, Section 11 of the 1847 Constitution. Citizens meeting the applicable constitutional qualifications would become eligible to vote beginning at age eighteen rather than twenty-one.

Political context

President William R. Tolbert Jr. announced the reform after assuming office in 1971. The referendum was scheduled alongside a special election for vice president.

Reported outcome

The proposal required two-thirds support and was adopted. A presidential proclamation dated 29 April 1972 formally recorded the constitutional change.

Historical significance

The amendment enfranchised younger adult citizens and aligned Liberia with a wider international movement during the period to recognize voting rights at age eighteen.

Results evidence

The legal amendment and its adoption are documented, but this archive does not publish a numerical result because a complete independently verifiable national tally has not been located.

Evidence status

Partial historical record. The date, subject, adoption and resulting constitutional language are documented. Exact totals, turnout and county-level returns remain under archival review.

Sources