Jim Crow Among Strangers: The Growth of Baltimore's Little Italy and Maryland's Disfranchisement Campaigns

by Gordon Shufelt

TWICE WITHIN THE first decade of the twentieth century African Americans nearly lost the right to vote in Maryland. In statewide elections in 1905 and 1909, the Maryland ballot included proposed state constitutional amendments that would have enabled local officials to prevent African Americans from registering to vote. A simple majority in favor of either amendment would have resulted in ratification. In each case, Maryland voters rejected disfranchisement after an intense campaign.