Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-14
THE VOTING PRECINCTS

The Beard of Aldermen last night passed A
hill providing for increasing the number of
voting places in the several wards at the
coming election. To facilitate the business of
-egistration, each ward is designated as an
Election precinct" but IN order to conform
with the law Of Congress, which provides only
tor fhree Commissioners OF Election sin each
voting precinct" the various voting places IN
me ward are named s'yoing precincts"
From siN TO eight Of these sub-preciucts are
provided for i'm each ward: and each voting
precinct being entitled 20 three Commissioners,
the work Of receiving the votes will be vastly
accelerated. The arrangement of voting alphl-
batically will also serve TO greatly simplify the
business; and from the number Of voting places
provided, there would seem to be full provision
70 secure 70 every voter the night 10 deposit his
ballot. AS there seems to be some misunder-
standing in regard to the provisions Of the diff
ferent laws Of 1867, in regard to the matter, we
refer 10 some of the points upon which there is
misconception.
The act of January :, 1885,, provides that
every male person, except paupers and per-
sons under guardianship, of the age of 81 years
% age and upwards, who has not been con.
yicted of any infamous crime or offence, and
excepting persons who may have voluntarily
gwen aid and comfort to the rebels in the late
rebellion, and who shall have been born and
naturalized in the United States, and who shall
have resided in the District of Columbia for
one year, and three months in the ward or
election precinct, IN which he shall offer TO
vote next preceding any election therein, shall
D. entitled TO the elective franchise without
distinction of color or race.
The act of February s. 1867, provides that
there shall be five judges of election within and
for the city of Washington, and three within
and for the city of Georgetown, to be appointed
by the Supreme Court of the District of Co.
iumbia. who shall hold their offices for two
years and until their successors shall be ap.
pointed and qualified, and whose duty il shall
BE-, prior 10 each election, to prepare list of
he persons qualified to vote in the several
wards of said cities in any election: and said
judges shall be in open session in their respec-
i've cities to receive evidence of the qualiica-
ton of persons Claiming the right TO vote in nv
election therein. and for correcting said lists,
On two days, not exceeding I've DAYS prior to
Zach ele ction for the choice Of city officers Civ
ing prior notice of the time and place of each
sessICn in some newspaper. The act requires
The Judges of election To post up list of voters
thus prepared in one more public places IN
sid cities, and at least ten days prior TO an
election.
Tie 5oint resolution of March 81. l16s, pro-
Niu'> max the supreme Court OF the District
shall appoint three cOmmiss toner's of election
N sch voting precinct in the cities OF Wash
nstOn and Georgetown. who shall hold their
offices for two years, and until their successors
sic appointed and qualified. whose duty il
shali Dc TO take charge of the ballot boxes at the
polls at each election, TO receive and deposit in
sid boxes the ballots of legalized voters in
'h"ir respective precincts, TO count the votes
after he polls are closed, and declare the re-
'ult, and make returns thereof "a now pro-
'.dsd by law. The Commissioners of Election
>ball receive the votes of all persons whose
name are on the list of voters il said precinct,
prepared by the Judges of election aforesaid.
and none others.