James Skivring Smith Joseph Jenkins Roberts Republican General elections were held in Liberia in May 1871.

Despite 99% of voters voting in favour, the Senate refused to approve the constitutional amendment required to implement the change.

Popular opinion had swung against Roye, whose government had been accused of corruption and incompetence.

[2] Roye announced that due to an economic crisis, the elections would be postponed to allow him to make reforms to resolve the crisis, and then issued a proclamation banning the holding of elections.

[1] Roye refused to accept the results, with the dispute eventually leading to a coup in October, which resulted in Roye's deposition and eventual death; James Skivring Smith served out the remainder of Roye's term,[1] and Roberts took office as president on 1 January 1872.