March 31, 1870. 156 years ago. Thomas Mundy Peterson walked into a polling place in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. And became the first African American to vote under the 15 Amendment. The 15th Amendment was ratified February 3, 1870. It gave Black men the right to vote. But it took 56 DAYS for the Black man to actually cast a ballot. That man was from NEW JERSEY. Thomas Mundy Peterson. Born in Metuchen. Lived in Perth Amboy. Worked as a custodian at a public school. March 31, 1870 was a LOCAL ELECTIO