A referendum was held in West Virginia on April 17, 1871, to add an amendment to the Constitution of West Virginia. Voters were asked whether all adult male citizens of West Virginia should be allowed to vote, though excluding disqualified individuals.
After the Civil War, former Confederates were barred from voting in West Virginia. The voting rights of African Americans were not ensured either. The two divergent issues were brought together in the Flick Amendment, drafted by William H.H. Flick. Several Liberal Republicans, hoping to offset the growth of the Democratic Party, offered the Flick Amendment to voters. The amendment would ensure the voting rights of African Americans and enfranchise former Confederates.
Although the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which granted African Americans the right to vote, was ratified in 1870, former Confederates still could not vote.
The amendment was ratified with an overwhelming majority of 78.8%. Following the ratification, former Confederates could vote, leading to a Democratic takeover of West Virginia's politics. Democrats elected the next five governors and controlled the state legislature between 1872 and 1896.
McDowell and Logan counties did not record any votes.