What the legislation said

The Electoral Franchise Bill sought:

“ All persons not under twenty-one years of age whether male or female married or unmarried -

1. who have resided in Queensland for six months continuously, and
2. who are natural born or naturalised subjects of the King, and
3. whose names are on the electoral roll for an electoral roll for an electoral district of Queensland,

shall be entitled to vote at the election of members of the Legislative Assembly for such electoral district. ”

- ( Queensland Parliamentary Debates, vol 94, 6 January 1905, p53 )

Women who changed their surname upon marriage were not to be disadvantaged:

“ No female elector shall be disqualified from voting under the name appearing on the roll merely because she has changed her name upon marriage. ”

- ( Queensland Parliamentary Debates, vol 94, 9 January 1905, p65 )

After much discussion, the changes were accepted in a reworked Elections Act Amendment Bill which gained the Governor's assent on 25 January 1905.