The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-10-04
RULES FOR JUDGES OF ELECTION
UNDER THE REGISTRY LAW.
COLUMBUS, ONO, Sept. 20, 1877.

COLUMBUH, OHlO, DopJ' AVI 1o'''
To Democratic CommitteeG
Previous to the time fixed for registra-
ton, abstracts ofthe statute upon the sub
ieCt were made by Judge W. Okey, At
torney General Little, and others, all
agreeing in the main in their construction
of the law; but in cases where there was
room for doubt, the advice uniformly
given was to register. the result is that
many persons registered who were not
bound to do 80. But there was no impro'
priety in following that advice, for the
penal provisions of the law are,of course,
only directed against those who traudu-
lently register. The mere fact Of registra-
ton, moreover gives no right to vote; the
man must at the time OF the election,
have the qualifications of an elector. 1t
is important, therefore, to know who are
electors. After consultation with gentle
men in whom we have confidence, we
make this briefreply to the numerous In
quiries on the subject.
l. As TO ALL PERSONS. WHETHER HEADS
OF FAMILIES OR NOT,
| Under the constitution, no person
can vote unless he is a male citizen over
twenty.one years of age, nor unless, at
the time of the election, he has been a
resident of the State one year,
2. No person can vote who's the time
of the election, has not resided in the
County thirty days.
3. No idiot or insane person can vote,
nor can penitentiary convict who has
not been restored to citizenship.
4. No person can vote fit was obliga-
tory upon him to register, and he has
failed to do 80.
II. HEAD OF A FAMILY.
/, If, at the time of the election, he
has resided in the State one year, and in
the County $50 days, he may vote at the
place where he resides DithOlt registration;
and it will make no difference how often
he may have changed his place Of resi-
dencc Within the county.
2. fiat the time of the election, he has
resided one year in the State, and thirty
days in the County, and has registered,
he may vote where he resides; andit will
make no difference how often he may
have changed his residence aCittiD The
county.
8. Sec. 7 of the 10th chapter of the
Crimes Act (Laws of 1877, page 284, has
been modified as to the heads of families,
by the Registration Act, which was pass
ed subsequently; and hence it is not es-
sential for the head of family to have
been a resident of his Township or Ward
twenty days, or even one day,previous to
the election.
III. A PERSON NOT THE HEAD OF A
FAMILY.
l. If, at the time of the election, he
has resided one year in the State, $50 days
in the County and 355 days in his Town
ship or Ward, he may vote aOthOut regis
tration, although he may have removed,
once or oftener, from one Precinct to an
other. The above section OF the Crimes
Act is modified in this respect.
2. If, at the time of the election he
has resided one year in the State, thirty
days in the County, and twenty days in
his Township or Ward, and has register
ed, he may vote there, although he may
have removed. once or oftener, from one
Precinct to another. The section Of the
Crimes Act is modified, as above stated.
The rules by which to determine what
constitutes residence are contained in the
Laws Of 1877, pages I'll and 2l2. Have
a copy ofthese Laws at the polls on elec'
ton day. Very truly yours,
JOHN G. THOMPSON,
Chairman.
WIN. BELL, JR',
Secretary.