The following law, passed by the General Assembly in its October 1646 session,
requires all freemen to vote in elections of burgesses or face a fine. Some spelling
has been modernized.
WHEREAS divers inconveniencies are
likely to ensue by disorderly and illegal election Burgesses, by subscribing of hands
contrary to the warrant directed for the sayd election, by which means it alsoe
happeneth that few or none doe appeare personally according to sumons, Be it therefore inacted, That noe
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election shall be made of any Burgesse or Burgesses
but by plurality of voices, and that no hand writing shall be admitted: Be it alsoe
further inacted, That what freemen soever, haveing lawful sumons of the time and
place for election of Burgesses, that shall not make repaire accordingly, Such person
or persons unles there be lawfull cause for the absenting himselfe shall forfeit 100
lb. of tob'o. for his non appearance, ffreemen being covennt. servants being exempted
from the said fine, to be levyed by distresse in case of refusall, And is to be
disposed of towards the defraying of the Burgesses charges in the county.
