Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-10-20
ELECTION LAWs-LEGAL VOTERS.

ELECTION LAWS-LEGAL VOTERS.
Our somewhat changeabe Election Laws are
now the subject OF inquiry in oil quarters
Through the Ignorance of some and the forget
fitness of Others, probably not one in ten of
those entitled TO vote are familiar with the
qualifications required and duties imposed upon
them. The usual official publication of I" Prac-
tical Directions" for this year is just made, by
authority of the Government, and from that we
give the leading points of the law.
WHO ARE LEGAL VOTERS.
Every white male citizen, 81 years old, duly
qualified by residence. If naturalized, he must
have been citizen for ten days previous to the
election.
2. Every man Of color, possessing freehold
estate of the value of not less than $3.50, and
qualified by residence as in the case of white
voters.
Erceptions-No person shall vote who has
been convicted of any crime punishable by death
or Imprisonment in the State Prison, unless
pardonsd and restored to the rights of citizen
ship
No person shall vote who shall make or be
interested directly or indirectly, in any bet or
wager depending upon the result of the cleo
ton at which such vote is offered
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND RESIDENCE.
Age-Every voter must be fully 81 years Of
age. Those who become 81 years old on the
day of Election are entitled to vote.
Residence-Every voter must have been an
inhabitant of the State for one year, Of the
County for four months, and of the District
from which the officer for whom he wishes to
vote is to be chosen, at least thirty days. Ca
ses may arise where man, having moved from
enc Ward to another, vote for all State and
County Officers and for Congressman, but be
disqualified by lack of residence from voting for
Assembiymen Ward officers, &c.
ErceptionS.-No person shall have gained or
lost residence by reason of his presence or
absenc while being employed in the service of
the UGited States: nor while engaged in the
navigation of the waters of this State, or of the
United States, or of the seas--nor while a stu
dent in any seminary of learning-nor while
kept at any aims house or other asylum at the
pnblic prison.
Temporary absence does not vitiate resi-
dence.
The ordinary indicia of mans legal resi-
dence is where his family resides, if he has n
family.
AS to colonizing," Gan evil at one time of
great extent) there is little of it done under the
tnTty-uayS TcoIueHCc pIoNislo1. VHcTe Il man
is suspected of acquiring residence merely for
the purpose of voting, the Inspectors will de-
eide, upon hearing the facts. The questions
to be answered upon challenge fully meet all
cases.
WHO ARE CITIZENS.
l. All persons born within the Union.
2. All persons duly naturalized.
g. All persons whose parents were natural
lied before the child had become 81 years of
age, although such child may have been born in
a foreign country.
BALLOTS AND BOXES.
The electors shall vote by ballot, such ballot
to be paper ticket to contain (written or prin-
ted, or partly written and partly printed0 the
names of the persons voted for, and clear de-
signaton of the Office intended. The ballot
must be so folded as to conceal the name, but
PENALTIES.
l. Voting or offering TO vote illegally is a
felony, punishable by Imprisonment in the State
Prison upon conviction thereof.
2. Wilfully obstructing the poll, or refusing
to obey the lawful commands of the Inspectors
is q msdemeanor, punishable by fine not to ex-
coed $3.50, or imprisonment not TO exceed six
months.
8. Neglect of duty or corrupt conduct on the
part of the officers Of election, subject them to
$500 fine or years Imprisonment.
A. Officers of Election have full magisterial
power to preserve order, to make arrests and
commitments, &c.
D,utt 50 ell nhate