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.
[Last updated in April of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]