The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-03-13
ELECTION Laws.
The Andrew-Australian System-The Bar
rett and Lacy bribery Acts.


| county commissioners of each county IN this
state shall, AT their first session after the taxi
ing effect OF this act, divide the townships OF
their respective counties into election pre-
cincts, and establish the boundaries of the
same. such board of commissioners shall
designate at least one place OF holding cleo
tons IN each township, and every township
IN which only one place OF holding elections
Is designated shall constitute a precinct There
shall be but one voting place in a precinct
Each precinct shall contain, as nearly prac-
ticable, two hundred electors, based on
the number of votes cast at the
last election for presidential electors; but no
precinct shall contain more than two hundred
and fifty electors. Ii at any election hereafter
two hundred and fifty or more votes shall be
cast at any voting place, IL shall be the duty of
the inspectors In such precinct 10 report the
same TO the board of county commissioners,
who shall, at their next regular meeting, divide
such precinct as equally as possible so that the
new precincts formed thereof shall each con-
tain 200 electors, as nearly as practicable; but
no precinct shall contain more than 30 electors.
and shall report such division to the clerk OF
the circuit court of such county, and to the gov
ernor of the state together with the estimated
number of votes in each of the new precincts.
If such board shall fail to act as herein directed
any qualified voter OF the county may apply tor
a writ of mandamus 10 compel performance
of this duty.
Sec. ,. The board of commissioners of any
county may change the boundaries of any pre-
cinct within such county, or divide any pre-
c1nct into two or more precincts, or consoll-
date TWO or more precincts into one, or change
any place OF holding elections, whenever pub
lie convenience or the public good may re-
oure il: Provided That no such change,
division or consolidation shall be made after
the June term of such commissioners court
next preceding an election: And provided,
further, That such change, division con-
solidatiOn shall be valid without giving due
notice. at least one month before any election,
by publication in two newspapers published in
said county, representing the two political
parties which cast the highest number OF votes
IN the state at the last general election, and by
posters put up in four OF the most public
places in each precinct: And provided,
further, That no precinct shall be enlarged so
as to contain more than two hundred and fifty
electors.
Sec 3 Township trustees shall by virtue of
their Office, be inspectors OF elections in the
precincts in which they respectively reside,
and shall, prior TO the opening of the polls in
such precinct appoint as judges Of elections
two qualified electors OF such precinct, who
shall have been treeholders and resident house
holders therein for at least one year, or house
holders for at least two years next preceding
such election, and who are members Of differ
ent political parties, and of the parties which
cast the highest number Of votes IN the state at
the preceding general election: Provided,
That il at least one week or more prior 10 such
election The chairman OF the county central
committee of either OF the two parties that cast
the largest number of votes in the state at the
last general election shall designate
4 member of such party ns Judge, having the
same qualifications rs above prescribed, he
shall be appointed, and such judges, together
with the inspector, shall constitute q board of
election. No person shall be eligible as mem
Der OF the board of election who has anything
of value bet or wagered on the result of such
election, OF who is father, father-in-law, son,
sOn-in-law, grandfather, grandson, brother,
brOther-in-law, uncle, nephew, first or second
cousin of any candidate at such election. II at
any time before, or during an election, 1t shall
be made to appear to any inspector by the
affidavit of two or more qualified electors of the
precinct that either o. the Judges is disqualified
under the provisions of this act, he shall at
once remove such judge and fill the place with
qualified person Of the same political party
the Judge removed; and in case such disqualI-
fed Judge shall have taken the oath of office
hereinafter prescribed, the inspector shall
place such oath and affidavit before the next
grand jury Of the county.
Sec l. Whenever any board of county CON-
missioners shall designate more than one pre-
cinct in any township it shall, at the June
term Of said board next preceding any election
appoint in each precinct in which no township
trustee resides, as inspector OF such election.
some qualified voter OF such precinct, who shall
have been freeh0lder and resident house
holder in such precinct for at least one year,
or q resident householder for at least two years
next preceding such election. Such board of
county commissioners shall hold q special ses-
sion one week before each election. and shall
iii all vacancies that may have occurred in the
Office of inspector, and shall fill any vacancy
occurring thereafter at any regular or called
session Of the board previous TO the election.
such appointed inspector shall before
the time OF opening the election IN his
precinct appoint two election Judges, 1t the
same have not already been appointed as here
iuhefore rroyided i'm he same manner and nm
der the same requirements as provided for
township trustees acting as inspectors; and
such judges and inspectors shall constitute the
board of election Tor such precinct. If any
member of au election board shall fail 10 ap-
pear at the hour appointed for the opening of
the polls. the remainder of the board shall Sc
iect q member of his political party TO serve in
bis stead Provided, that, If the qualified cleo
tors Of his party present at the polls shall
nominate qualified person for such vacancy,
such nominee shall be appointed. II none Of
the members of an election board shall appear
at the hour appointed for opening the polls,
the qualified electors present shall elect q
board CiyG rOcc, as nearly as possible in con-
fOrmlty with the provisions hereof.
Sec. : Such board of election shall appoint
as poll clerks two qualified electors OF such pre-
cinct, one from each of the two parties that cast
the largest vote in the state at the last general
election. Provided, That if, four days or more
prior 70 such election, the chairman of the
county central committee OF either OF the two
parties that cast the largest number of votes in
the state at the last general election shall desig
nate member of such party as poll clerk, such
nominee shall be appointed.
Sec. g. The auditor of each county in the
state shall make out and cause to be delivered
to the inspectors OF the several precincts in
their respective counties, at least ten days pre-
viOus to any election, a suitable number Cf
blank forms of poll books, containing one col
umn headed Names OF Voters" and an
additional column headed Number of Votes"
and also forms of election return, with the
proper captions, forms of Oaths, and forms of
certificates and tally papers necessary to be
used in all elections hereafter held in the
state.
Sec. !. Before any election shall be opened,
the inspector and judges shall each make oath
to support the constitution of the United
States and of this state to faithfully and impair
italy discharge the duties assigned by law;
that they will not knowingly permit any per.
son to vote who is not qualified, and not know
or cause any delay to persons Offering TO vote,
further than is necessary 10 procure sstsfae.
tory information of the qualification of such
person electOr; that they will not disclose
or communicate to any person how any elector
voted or how any ballot was folded, marked or
stamped; and that they and for
year next preceding have continued TO be bona
tide residents and freehOlders, or bona fide
householders, for at least two years, of the
township in which such precinct is situated;
and that they have nothing Of value bet or
wagered upon the result OF said election, and
Il