Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-04-14
AN ACT.
TO Preuent Frauds on the Election Lay,,
PASSED, March 90, 1917


WHEREAS ii is represented 10 the General AS
sembly. that numerous frauds have been perpe.
trated upon the Elective Franchise by the execu-
ton OF deeds, not bona fde, purporting to convey
interests in real estate, when in fact such deeds
are without any good valuable consideration
and understood between the parties thereto, as
not intended to vest in the grantees any benef-
ciai interest in the property which they purpor to
convey, but that the sole purpose of executing
mem is 10 enable the pretended grantees mention
." " ''ein' ~ 'os", ir-jOrvSutiU or the constr
tuition and laws of this Commonwealth For
remedy whereof:
i. BE ii enacted by Mc General .2ssembv, Tina,
as often as any person shall hereafter cast vote,
or ofer to vote, in any election to be held in this
commonwealth, Gin which only such persons as
are authorized to exercise the right of suffrage,
under and by virtue Of the present Constitution
of Virginia, can lawfully vote,) by virtue of anv
interest, or pretended interest, in real estate.
whether the same shall purport to be freehold.
OF only chattel real, under pursuant to any
such deed, or deeds as aforesaid, knowing the
character oil the same, such person and his aiders
abettors and advisers shall be held and deemed
to have been guilty Of misdemeanor, and shall
be subject to fine of less than ten, nor more
than one hundred dollars, to be recovered with
inll costs, by indictment, or information, before
any Court of record Of this Commonwealth, for
the county or corporation, in which said offence
shall be committeeman shall moreover upon
W tuC NrIulCt VI JuIys Ue SUBJECT TO
confinement in The Jail of said county at the dis
cretIon olihe Courtbefore whom said Indictment
shall be tried provided that said term Of impri-
sonment shall in no exceed three months
2. Belt also enacted, That if any person or per-
sons shall! hereafter execute any deed Of the char
acter above mentioned, all the parties thereto,
Knowing The character thereof, and conserving to
the same. their aiders, abettors, and advisers,
shall be held and deemed to be guilty of INSIDE
meanor, and be subject therefor to the payment
OF fine OF not less than fifty dollars, to be re-
covered with full costs. by Indictment or infor-
nation In any court of record for that county or
corporation In which the real estate, chattel
real interest, mentioned in said deed or deeds,
shall he situated {: And shall moreover, on con-
victon thereof by the verdict of jury be subject
to confinement in the Jail of that county or cor
poratlon, in which said offence shall be punisha-
BILE, In the discretion of the court before whom
the said indictment or information shall be tried,
prorided hO,peuer, that in no case said term of inn
PTisonment shall exceed three months.
8. he further enactcd, That in addition to
superintendent required by the forty-sixlh Sec
lon OF the Act Concerning General Elections
passed April I'd. 1881, it shall be the duty Of the
court of each county, whether a separate poll or
polls, are authorized to be held therein or not, to
appoint five discreet and intelligent freeholders,
residents OF said county, who, OF any two or more
Oh whom may act, to superintend the election at
the courthouse of said county ; and the persons
so appointed shall take The same oath and per-
form the same duties which prescribed in
,he SAID act. And the same proceedings shall be
had In case OF death, removal, resignation or re-
fusal to act, as are therein prescribed And,
in the election of Senators. to the
State Legislature, or of Representatives to the
Congress ofthe u. S., no elector shall be permit
ted to vote, on any interest in land, unless said
land lie In the county, town or city, in which
said Elector offers TO vote.
4. Bell further enacted, That this act shall be
constantly given in charge TO the Grand Juries in
the several courts Of this Commonwealth.