A constitutional referendum held on 3 May 1955 addressed women’s political rights in Liberia’s hinterland provinces, eligibility for legislative office and the procedure for presidential impeachment trials.
Women voters in the provinces
The suffrage amendment extended the hinterland property rule to women by recognizing a hut on which “he or she” paid the hut tax. It built upon the 1946 amendment, which had removed the male-only wording from the general suffrage clause but had not fully resolved provincial women’s status.
Eligibility for the Legislature
Related amendments replaced male-only pronouns in qualifications for legislative office, formally recognizing that qualified women could be elected to Liberia’s Legislature.
Impeachment procedure
The referendum also removed constitutional language stating that the Chief Justice would preside when the President or Vice President was tried through impeachment.
Reported outcome
Historical referendum chronologies report that the proposed changes received the required two-thirds support and were adopted. A complete certified national vote table has not been located for this archive entry.
Historical significance
The 1955 amendments extended the earlier franchise reforms more explicitly to women in the provinces and strengthened the constitutional basis for women to participate as both voters and candidates. They remain an important part of Liberia’s gradual—and incomplete—transition toward universal political participation.
Evidence status
Partial historical record. The date, subjects and reported adoption are documented. Exact vote totals, turnout, county returns and the complete certified result remain under archival review.