Sarah E. Anderson
Sarah Elizabeth Nelson Anderson was a member of the Utah House of Representatives. Just one year prior to her election, in 1895, she was described by The Ogden Daily Standard as "one of the most prominent and popular women in Ogden City and Weber County." The article also mentions her strength, both mental and physical. She challenged Charles Tyree, Odgen City's registrar, who refused to register her as a voter because of the Edmunds-Tucker Act. Her argument was taken to the territorial Supreme Court, where she ultimately lost. This did not change her desire to have a voice in government. In 1896 she joined the 2nd Utah State Legislature as one of three women to be elected there. During her service she was Chairperson of the House Committee on Public Health. She authored bills, none of which became law.
Early life and family
Anderson was born on January 30, 1853, in Weber County, Utah, to parents David Nelson and Sarah Brown. At her death two brothers named C.A. Nelson and Wm. L. Wilson were listed as well as half-brother J.H. Nelson and half-sister Mrs. H.L. Griffin.At the age of 17, she was married to Dr. Porter L. Anderson and bore five children with him until his death January 9, 1888. Widowed after 18 years of marriage, she was left to raise the five children. Their names are as follows; Lee Anderson, Mrs. Alta Anderson Costello, Dewey Anderson, Miss Maud and Florence. In an article that appear in the Salt Lake Tribune it was reported that her home life with her children occupied most of her time.
Political career
Women enfranchisement
A year prior to her husband's death, Congress passed the Edmunds–Tucker Act, which amongst many restrictions also disenfranchised women. In 1894, Congress passed the Enabling Act, allowing Utah to submit an application for statehood, ratify a constitution, and elect state officials. Section 4 of the Enabling Act did not clarify that women were denied the right to vote to ratify the state constitution; it used the phrase "qualified voters of said proposed state." Previously in Section 2, it was clearer in mentioning the same eligibility should be used for the ratification vote as was voting for delegates, with being male listed as a qualification. Further complicating things, Section 19 stated that state government officials could be elected at the time of the ratification vote and did not mention any qualifications to vote. What qualifications were required came into question and women began asking to be registered to vote. The Utah Commission, which was a federally appointed group, was tasked with making lists of registered voters. Not wanting to interpret the law and face criticism, they suggested listing all females on a separate list so they could be easily dismissed if needed. However, the Utah Commission ultimately did not make this decision because on August 6, 1895, Anderson used this basis to go to local deputy registrar Charles Tyree to register as a voter. Tyree refused her petition. She successfully challenged this refusal to register her as a voter by arguing her case in a District Court.Judge H.W. Smith ruled in her favor, allowing women to vote for ratification and state officials. Several well-respected lawyers helped her in success, including Franklin S. Richards, Samuel R. Thurman, and H.P. Henderson. Tyree, with the help of prominent attorney Arthur Brown, appealed it to the territorial Supreme Court, where Anderson ultimately lost. Two out of the three judges agreed the Enabling Act did not afford women the right vote to ratify the new state constitution or for state officials and Anderson had lost her case. Justice William H. King gave the dissenting opinion. Many women withdrew from politics as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, but Anderson continued. Utah's new constitution did contain perimeters allowing women to be enfranchised.