People Lined Up to Vote in a General Election for the Tanforan Assembly Center Advisory Council
6/16/1942
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The civil rights of Japanese immigrants and Japanese-descended U.S. citizens were violated when they were forcibly moved first to "assembly centers" and then to "relocation centers" (also known as "internment camps") during World War II. Nevertheless, all male and female adult internees were allowed to vote for camp advisory council at the Tanforan Assembly Center—a first for immigrants from Japan, who generally lacked voting rights because they could not naturalize and become American citizens. After World War II, citizenship and voting rights gradually opened to Asian immigrants.
The original caption for this image, taken by photographer Dorothea Lange for the War Relocation Authority, reads: San Bruno, California. Entering Recreational Hall where election is being held for Councilman. A general election for five members of the Tanforan Assembly Center Advisory Council is being held on this day. The Issei have never been able to vote before because of American naturalization laws.
The original caption for this image, taken by photographer Dorothea Lange for the War Relocation Authority, reads: San Bruno, California. Entering Recreational Hall where election is being held for Councilman. A general election for five members of the Tanforan Assembly Center Advisory Council is being held on this day. The Issei have never been able to vote before because of American naturalization laws.
This primary source comes from the Records of the War Relocation Authority.
National Archives Identifier: 537899
Full Citation: Photograph 210-G-C592; San Bruno, California. Entering Recreational Hall where election is being held for Councilman...; 6/16/1942; Central Photographic File of the War Relocation Authority, 1942 - 1945; Records of the War Relocation Authority, Record Group 210; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/tanforan-vote, October 13, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Japanese American Incarceration During World War II
Created by the National Archives Education Team - The 19th Amendment and the Road to Universal Suffrage
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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