A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 4 May 1943,[1] alongside general elections. The changes to the constitution required the president to be a Liberian citizen by birth or to have lived in Liberia for at least 25 years, as well as allowing constitutional referendums to be held separately from general elections.[1] The changes were approved by voters.[1]
Constitutional change
editThe proposed changes would be to Chapters III and V.[1]
| Section | Original text | New text |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter III article 7 |
No person shall be eligible to the office of President, who has not been a citizen of this Republic for at least fifteen years; and who is not possessed of unencumbered real estate, of the value of two thousand and five hundred dollars. | No person shall be eligible to the office of President, who is not a citizen of this Republic by birth or a naturalised citizen of over twenty-five years residence; and who is not possessed of unencumbered real estate, of the value of two thousand and five hundred dollars." |
| Chapter V article 17 |
This Constitution may be altered whenever two-thirds of both branches of the Legislature shall deem it necessary; in which case the alteration or amendments shall first be considered and approved by the Legislature by the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of each branch and afterwards by them submitted to the people and adopted by two-thirds of all the electors at the next biennial meeting for the election of Senators and Representatives. | This Constitution may be altered whenever two-thirds of both branches of the Legislature shall deem it necessary; in which case the alteration or amendments shall first be considered and approved by the Legislature by the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of each branch and afterwards by them submitted to the people and adopted by two-thirds of all the electors at a special election called for that purpose. |
A two-thirds majority in the vote was necessary for the changes to be approved.[1]