<P> Thomas Mundy Peterson ( October 6 , 1824 -- February 4 , 1904 ) of Perth Amboy , New Jersey was the first African - American to vote in an election under the just - enacted provisions of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution . His vote was cast on March 31 , 1870 . </P>
who was the first black person to register to vote
Thomas Mundy Peterson