People ex rel. Fyfe v. Barnett
Illinois Supreme Court
150 N.E. 290 (1925)
- Written by Kelly Nielsen
Facts
In 1887, Illinois enacted a law that all “electors” (i.e., voters) who had certain general qualifications would be included on the list of possible jurors for jury trials in the state. At that time, the state’s legal definition of voters was limited to males, so the jury list was also limited to males. In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution mandated that states allow females to vote. In 1921, Illinois amended the state’s definition of voters to include females. Hannah Fyfe (plaintiff) was a female voter who was then included on the jury list. However, in 1925, the jury commissioners (defendants) removed Fyfe from the jury list on the ground that females were not eligible for jury duty. Fyfe petitioned the state court for an order requiring the jury commissioners to put Fyfe’s name back on the jury list. The trial court ordered the jury commissioners to list Fyfe as a potential juror. The jury commissioners appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Heard, J.)
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