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Assembly committee honors Thomas Mundy Peterson as first Black voter in U.S.
Summary
The State and Local Government Committee unanimously released AR1/22, a resolution honoring Thomas Mundy Peterson of Perth Amboy as the first African American to cast a certified post‑Fifteenth Amendment ballot; members noted local commemorations and a school renamed in his honor.
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee on a voice and roll call vote released AR1/22, a resolution honoring Thomas Mundy Peterson for casting what the resolution describes as the first certified African American vote in the United States following ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment.
A sponsor read biographical details into the record, noting Peterson’s birth in Metuchen on Oct. 6, 1824, his long residence in Perth Amboy, and that he cast the ballot at issue on March 31, 1879, in a local charter election. The sponsor said Peterson remained active in local politics, served in county roles, worked as a school custodian and was later honored when a public school was renamed for him.
There were no public slips opposing the resolution; Erin Cruz of the League of Women Voters submitted written support. Following brief committee comments, a motion to move the resolution was seconded and the committee released AR1/22.
The committee did not take additional legislative action on the matter beyond releasing the resolution to the next step.
