Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1889-08-14
HOW TO REGISTER.
POPULAR EXPLANATION OF THE
NEW LAW.
What the Registry Lists are to Record
Regulations Concerning Natural
lied Citlzens-Fines and
Penalties.

Section l. This SeCtlOn QlTeCJS Jnal Ill
June 1889, the county commissioners
shall divide each county into convenient
election districts" Before the registra-
ton begins, the county commissioners
may "vacate, change, consolidate, remove
or establish" any voting precincts, pro-
vlded ten qualified voters request the
commissioners to do so. The districts
are to include as many polling placesland
precincts as shall be convenient" for the
voters of the election district 1t may be
seen that the text of this section is en-
phatc in providing for the convenience
of the voters and does not countenance
any "shoestring districts or any other
form of gerrymandering. After- June
1890, no change shall be made in the num-
Der of election districts oftener than
once in two years. @..
REGISTRY AGENTS.
Section 2. This section directs that
registry agents shall be appointed by the
county commissioners. They are to be
"competent persons" resident freeholders
and qualified voters of their respective
districts. Those appointed in June last
are to hold Office until June 4, 1890. After
that two years is the term. No one who is
Candidate for" office or who holds an
office can be registry agent. The
registry agent is Subject to re-
moval at any time" by the board Of
county commissioners. This leaves no
excuse for permitting incompetent agents
to hold office. In districts where there is
city of over 5000 people two agents
may be appointed.
VACANCIES AND CERTIFICATES.
Section 8. If the registry agent dies
Is disqualified or resigns, the chairman o1
the county commissioners, may appoin
another, on receiving notice from
any responsible citizen Of the cir
cumstance. It follows that in district
VIII are person who is not competent
holds office, one or more voters nigh
very properly inform the said chairman
Of the disqualification" Of the registry
agent. 1t is then the "duty" Of the chair
man to appoint an agent who is to quail
lily within two days.
Should the new agent fail to qualif,
within the time specified the law pro
vides that tie voter can register in any
other district. He is to receive cert if
cate which will enable him to vote in hi
own district.
Section d The county commission err
are to provide books, seals and stationery
including an "official register which i
to have blank spaces for the customar,
details as to tbs residence, age and citizen
ship of the voter. -.". ..
DUTIES OF REGISTRY AGENTS.
Section 5. This section provides tina
registry agents shall enter on their dutie
September Is, and shall register voters
on all legal days from p. m. to s p. m
From October 9th to 10Th inclusive, voters
are to be registered from from 10 a. m. tt
10 p. m. on all legal days. AS the election
takes place this year on October list it il
provided in Section IS, that the agents
shall center upon their duties" by Angus
LIST, and shall register voters on and aftel
August 10Th, between 2 p. m. and 8 p. nj.
until September 9th when the hours are
to be from 10 a. m. to 10 p. M. until Sep
TENDER 10Th, when the registry closes.
Par.Ctrv no fc RI M 10
of each registration, giving the age ant
nativity of the elector aid in incorporated
towns or city the full address. Even the
building or room is to be described
When a foreign born citizen is registered
it shall be stated whether he produced
his certificate or not. Registry agents
are to publish for twenty days before the
final day of registration, notice saying
when and where electors may register
In "remete, new or sparsely settled
places" the notices are to be placed il
not less than five conspicuous places.
THE ELECTORS OATH.
Section 6. Each elector shall take
oath before he is registered. The form
of the oath is given. "The registry book
shall be open at any time for inspection
by any qualified elector."
CASES OF DOUBT.
Section 7. In case of doubt, the reg
istry agent may submit series of ques
lions to the person who applies for reg
istration. The registry agent is to max
like inquiry if the applicant is chal
lenged. If the applicant shows that h
is qualified the agent shall register hi
name. The five questions to be pre-
pounded are given. A resident means
person who has or will have resided cor
tinuously six months in, Montana, and 8
days in the county before election day
Registration is to hold good for two year.
NATURALIzED CITIZENS.
Section 8. Naturalized citizens {
those who intend to become such shout
produce their papers which are to b
stamped by the registry agent. If til
certificate is lost the applicant may b
registered on making oath to that effet
and answering certain specified question
relative thereto. Testimony as to hi
credibility may be called for. No pei
son need make a second affidavit SO Ion
as the former one is on file.