Written by Kathie Schey, City Archivist.
Continuing our Founder’s Legacy Month celebration, we look at our “founding voters.” Who were they, what did they do for a living, and how many of them were there?
As a result of the Registry Act of 1866, the names of registered voters were compiled by every County into a published record called the “Great Register.” In 1872, the law was changed to require the publication of these registers every two years. Not all of these records survived, but we are fortunate to have the register for Huntington Beach from 1908, listing all those eligible to vote for cityhood the following year.
Earlier registration requirements were quite descriptive, but after 1900, only a person’s name, age, and address were included. The California Secretary of State’s office did not maintain party affiliation until 1922.
In 1908, 183 registered voters were listed. While a few names are familiar today, including those first elected to lead our City, most were everyday folks from all walks of life. More than 40 were farmers, 12 were carpenters, another 12 were real estate agents, and 19 were listed as “retired.” The rest were a smattering across many occupations, some surprising. We had two blacksmiths, a piano tuner, a harness maker, a shingler, and one man engaged in the “chicken business.” We were also blessed to be the home of three barbers, two florists, a confectioner, a fireman, and a pool room proprietor.
It is interesting to compare the 1908 list to that of 1904, which shows a decline in registered voters during the preceding four years. Much of that was due to a reduction in the number of laborers, managers, and others in construction work, perhaps signaling our City’s “coming of age” into a stable community, requiring fewer men to build it. This may further be seen by the addition of a dentist, an attorney, two civil engineers, and two more ministers.
There are no clues as to the racial identities of the voters. Census data of the time shows a broadly Anglo community. But the absence of one group is glaring – none were women. Women were not granted complete voting privileges until the 19th Amendment was passed in 1919, 10 years after Huntington Beach became a City.
