1918_Haitian_constitutional_referendum References

A constitutional referendum was held in Haiti on 12 June 1918.^[1] Voters were asked to approve or reject a new constitution, which was imposed by the United States government.^[2] It was approved by 99% of voters,^[3] although less than 5% of the population voted.^[2]

Background

Haiti was occupied by the United States in 1915. Assistant Secretary of the United States Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt claimed to have drafted a new constitution, which introduced direct election of the Senate, freedom of assembly and the press, and trial by jury.^[2] Controversially it initially included a right for non-citizens to own land,^[2] and for the American military to intervene in domestic politics.^[4]

The National Assembly elected in 1917 refused to adopt the draft constitution and drafted one itself,^[2] which excluded the right of non-citizens to own land.^[4] While the Assembly was debating its draft, Major Smedley Butler interrupted the session to announce that President Philippe Sudré Dartiguenave had dissolved the legislature,^[2] after he forced Dartiguenave to sign a decree to that effect.^[4] As there was no legislature in place to adopt the document, it was decided to hold a referendum.^[2]

Campaign

The American military government issued orders to arrest anyone publicly opposing adoption of the constitution.^[2]

Results


Choice	Votes	%
For	98,294	99.22
Against	769	0.78
Total	99,063	100.00

Source: Nohlen

References

^ Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p381 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h George Athan Billias (2011) American Constitutionalism Heard Round the World, 1776–1989: A Global Perspective, pp242–244
^ Nohlen, p387
^ ^a ^b ^c Michael Largey (2006) Vodou Nation: Haitian Art Music and Cultural Nationalism, p55

[1] Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p381 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6

[B-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h George Athan Billias (2011) American Constitutionalism Heard Round the World, 1776–1989: A Global Perspective, pp242–244

[3] Nohlen, p387

[L-4] Michael Largey (2006) Vodou Nation: Haitian Art Music and Cultural Nationalism, p55

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

v t e Elections and referendums in Haiti
Presidential elections	1950 1957 1987 1988 1990 1995 2000 2006 2010–11 2015 2016 Next
Parliamentary elections	1790 1791 1801 1806 1817 1822 1827 1832 1837 1842 1843 1847 1852 1857 1862 1863 1867 1870 1873 1875 1879 1882 1887 1890 1893 1896 1899 1902 1905 1908 1911 1914 1917 1930 1932 1936 1940 1946 1950 1955 1957 1961 1964 1967 1973 1979 1984 1986 1987 1988 1990–91 1995 1997 2000 2006 2010–11 2015–16 Next
Senate elections	1808 1812 1815 1930 1932 1936 1940 1946 1950 1955 1957 1987 1988 1990–91 1993 1995 1997 2000 2006 2009 2010–11 2015–16 2016–17 Next
Local elections	1995 1997 2000 2006 2015 2017 2023
Referendums	1918 1928 1935 (Feb) 1935 (Jun) 1939 1961 1964 1971 1985 1987 2023