The policy of popular sovereignty brought about fierce competition between the anti- and pro slavery forces in the Kansas territ
ory. The pro slavery forces brought in residents of nearby Missouri to be illegally vote to sway Kansas politics. These illegal voters were known as border ruffians. The illegal activity did not stop with politics The border ruffians engaged in intimidation and violence against anti-slavery settlers. What could have been done to stop the legal voting? What about the violence?
The US electoral process evolved over time and presented grotesque failures at its inception, as was the famous case of border ruffians. In order to resolve this type of conflict, it was necessary to establish and supervise voting rules that restrain practices aimed at circumventing the electoral system. Voting should be authorized only in the state of proven residence and not in a border state.
To curb violence, a more active state was needed to ensure the political freedom of anti-slavery citizens. The state should prohibit intimidation, arrest and prosecute individuals who disregard the laws.
