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Promoting Irish Culture and History from Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

The Disfranchising Act 1728 Receives Royal Assent

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The Disfranchising Act, an act of parliament of the Parliament of Ireland, is debated in 1727 and receives royal assent on May 6, 1728. One of a series of Penal Laws, it prohibits all Roman Catholics from voting in parliamentary elections. Its full title is “An Act for the further regulating the Election of Members of Parliament, and preventing the irregular Proceedings of Sheriffs and other Officers in electing and returning such Members” and its citation is 1 Geo. 2. c. 9 (I).

In the eighteenth century, elections are held at irregular intervals and at the beginning of a new reign. The Act follows the death of George I on June 11, 1727, but does not take effect until after the election of 1727, coming into force in 1728.

The Act is repealed by the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1793, which receives royal assent on April 9, 1793, allowing the franchise in Ireland to all men holding a property with a rental value of at least two pounds annually.

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Author: Jim Doyle

As a descendant of Joshua Doyle (b. 1775, Dublin, Ireland), I have a strong interest in Irish culture and history, which is the primary focus of this site. I am a retired IT professional living in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. I am a member of the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (2010-Present, President 2011-2017) and a commissioner on the City of Little Rock’s Public Safety Commission (2024-Present). I previously served as a commissioner on the City of Little Rock’s Arts and Culture Commission (2015-2020, 2021-2024, Chairman 2017-2018).

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