On this day, Feb. 11, 1889, Nevada voters amended their state constitution to prohibit duel participants from holding office and voting, as well as to allow women who meet certain age and residency requirements to hold specific school offices.

The amendment, which appeared on the ballot as State Question 19 at the time, prohibited anyone who fought, sent, or accepted a challenge to fight in a duel with a deadly weapon within the state from holding any public office or voting. The prohibition also extended to any individual who acted as a second, knowingly conveyed a challenge, or assisted in any manner in fighting a duel.

Additionally, State Question 19 granted the Nevada State Legislature the authority to prescribe, by law, provisions that made women over the age of 21, who had lived in the state for one year, and had lived in a county or district for at least six months, eligible for the offices of superintendent of public schools and school trustees. Voters passed State Question 19 on Feb. 11, 1889, with 4,441 (56.08%) in favor and 3,478 (43.92%) against it.

Although the Nevada Constitution of 1864 is still in effect today, neither the prohibition on duel participants, nor the age and residency requirements for women are included. On Nov. 7, 1978, Nevada voters repealed these provisions by approving Question 1, with 68.09% voting in favor. The state constitution has been amended over 112 times through citizen-initiated measures and legislative referrals. Nevada voters last amended the state constitution on November 5, 2024, after approving two amendments.