Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-06-02
AN ACT TO SECURE THE FREEDOM OF
ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE.

ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE.
WHEREAS the Constitution of this state d, clares that
all elections shall be free aud equal - whereas the
freedom OF elections and the ee enioyn ent the right
of suffrage according to the Constitution and laws of L
state are essential to the enjoyment OF public liberty
and whereas evil disposed persons did cause armed sol
ders t. be brought into this State aud be present at
different voting places Ia the State the day the last
general election and free election thereby prevent
ed and whereas IL proper that repet ton Of SO grave
A. ence against the peace and dignity Of the Shall
be prevented Therefore,
sscTloN /. BE enacted by the SENATE and Hyu,e of
Representatives. " The State NJ DeLdWdrt IN General A.
sebiy met That ii any person beug an zen ar nhn6
aut Of this state shall sent bring or
to be Brought into this state or shall aid a6et
procure, advise, COUNSEL or In any sls in send
ing or bIhgiui into tins State any armed soldier
ders to be present at any voting place this State or
within i've miles thereof The day Of any general sps
cal, OF other election hereafter TO be- holden Ia this state
or shall aid, abet prucure advise, counsel In any
assist the presence asendaucs Of any armed
soldier or soldiers at any such voting place. or wlnu
hve miles thereof on any such election day. every
offending shall be guilty Of felony and ups conviction
thereO ny lnuetsn snail forfeit and pay 10 the State
hne oi not less lhsn one thousand dollars and not
than ten thousand dollars aud shall be imprisoned Tor
term not less than ene nor hln tte years, and
shall forever thereafter be incapable uf exercising the
right OF suffrage In this State.
SECTION =. be Il further eHacied atoreslid That II
any person. being citizen inhabitant this State
shall aid abe procure, advise COUNSEL in any
assist be guilty of military Interference auy
with the freedom Of sny eeron in this State every per
Offending shall he guilty Of felony upon
vcton thereof by sdctueut shall forfeit and pay tu the
State a ne OF not less than one thousand dollar, nor
than ten thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned
for term not less than than i've ears and
shall forever thereafter bs incapable Of exercising the
right Of suffrage in this State.
.. and be il further eRaoedds aforesaid That
II any Inspector, presidng officer judge any eac-
un 10 this State, any other person, shall admuiser
to be administered any legal in this state
any oath affirmation not authorized by the Consiu.
on or laws of this state Tor that purpose pre-requi
site condition Of voting at any election this state,
except when such oath affirmation shall he administer.
ed in order to satisfy such IAp cor presiding officer
Judge, that such vuts is legal vote according tue Com
stutien and laws OF this state such np rtJr presiding
officer, judge or other person snding shall guilty
VI u misdt tmeanor ana upon conviction thereof by in
SHALL for every such offence forfeit ald pa to
the e Of NOT less than five hundred dollars ard
than one thousand dollars and shall te
priaoned for term Of ten days.
l. John & Pennington, Clerk uf the House Of Rpres, ii.
tatives the Statu Of Delaware being authorized hy
Resolution Of sad House 10 have tho fore act,
tied hn Act 10 eeure the Freedom Of Llec us in this
State" pub.saei In - IAe Journal and Statesman
"Ta, Lcidudrcul,' aud ih3 " GeOrgstyl9n Messenger
for the period o two months, do hereby certify thai
above ad foregoing y tue copy o sad act passed at
Dover. March 2tlh, 1863
Ia witness whereof, have hereunto set my hand as
Clerk oil the House of Representatives, this 18th day
March, a D., thousana eight hundred and sixty.
three. JOHN Il. PENNINGTON,
ap. 3sm. Clerk of the House Of Representatives.