 In 1800, Massachusetts became the first state to require voter registration as a prerequisite for voting statewide, followed by Maine (1821), Pennsylvania (1836) and Connecticut (1839).Throughout the 19th century, and especially after the Civil War, more states and cities would follow in establishing registration of eligible voters as a prerequisite to voting, partially to stymie the ability of immigrants in cities to vote.However, it was not until 1913 when Nebraska became the first state to establish a permanent statewide registry of voters, to be overseen by an election commissioner.