After the Civil War, former Confederates in West Virginia couldn't vote or hold office. In 1870, they helped elect a Democratic-Conservative government that wanted to replace the 1863 "Yankee" constitution. They disliked things such as free public schools, the secret ballot, and political limits on ex-Confederates. A vote to hold a constitutional convention passed in 1871, and 66 of the 78 delegates were Democrats. The convention met in 1872, with many former Confederates in charge. While the debates were heated, major changes were limited. Black people kept the right to vote and hold office, and free public schools remained—but stayed segregated. Other changes included bringing back the county court system, allowing oral voting, and lengthening executive terms. Voters approved the new constitution in August 1872, but rejected a proposal to ban Black people from holding office.