Edmunds anti polygamy act of 1882 - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

The Edmunds Anti-Polygamy Act of 1882 (Edmunds Act) is a U.S. federal statute adopted in 1882 declaring polygamy as a felony in federal territories. The Edmunds Act suppressed different rights for people practicing polygamy and made it unlawful for polygamists or cohabitants to�vote, hold�public office, or�serve on juries�in federal territories.�

The Act was adopted after issues arose from the practice of polygamy of Mormons in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Polygamy practiced by Mormons created issues between Mormons and non-Mormons in the State of Utah, and non-Mormons asked Congress to pass an act to render polygamy illegal.

In 1882, a question arose regarding freedom of religion and whether Congress should interfere with the Church�s practices to encourage polygamy. The Act started being enforced in July 1887. In Late Corp. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. United States, the Supreme Court disincorporated the LDS Church.�