Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-10-26
LOCAL ELECTION OFFICERS.
why Some Former Servants Were Not
ppointed.

why Some Former Servants Were Not
Appointed.
The omission from The list of Judges.
Inspectors and Clerks appointed blythe Su-
pervisors 10 serve at the coming election Of
the names of citizens who have Served in
such capacities for years past, has not only
caused some outside comment, but con-
siderable disappointment and chagrin on
the part of many who were not named.
Itshould be remembered that the coming
election is to be held under the new cleo
lion law, the provisions of which exclude
from service as officers of election many
who were formerly eligible to perform the
duties of such Judges, Inspectors and
Clerks.
Section 1142 of the Political Code pro-
vides that the Supervisors shall select
from the assessment roll of each precinct
the names of electors thereon 10 serve as
Inspectors, Judges and Clerks of Election,
two for each of the places named. These
officers shall be selected from the two
parties polling the highest number of
votes at the last preceding election. In
other words, the Supervisors will, in max
ing their appointments, select one Repub-
lican and one Democratic Inspector, Judge
and Clerk for each precinct.
1t will be seen that no person is eligible
to serve as an officer of election who is not
represented on the assessment roll-a mis-
fortune that belongs to many good and de-
serving citizens. This provision greatly in
creased the difficulties of the Supervisors
in selecting material for Election Boards,
for all taxpayers are not the kind of men
wanted for the purpose. In one precinct
of the cCunty-it was stated before the
Board of Superyisors-there are but two
persons OF the assessment roll, while
there are quits number Of voters.
+ The Code further provides that 10 per-
son shall be eligible TO act as such officer
of election who had been employed in any
official capacity in the county within
ninety days next preceding the election.
This is another provision in the new law,
the effect of which has been 10 exclude
from Election Boards a great many per-
SONS who were eligible to positions thereon
prior to this election, and some of whom
were naturally disappointed at not being
selected for such duty al this time
While the law is very stringent regard
ing the qualifications of election officers it
is equally so in its requirements Of those
who have received appointments as such.
Il declares that any person appointed to
act as an C1nceP OF election, ana Quly nOI-
fed, who refuses or ne-lects to act as such
(uniess good and sufficient cause for such
refusal is shown shall be deemed guilty of
misdemeanor, "and upon conviction
thereof shall be subjected to fine of $500;
and upon failure to pay said fine shall be
imprisoned in the county Jail for the period
of one day for each dollar of said fine"
Thus it will be seen that citizens cannot
shirk their duty withou. leaving them
selves liable to severe punishment, al
though there have been times when regu.
larly appointed election officers did not go
near the polling places ON election day,
and sent no excuse for staying away.
The pay allowed for each officer is $40,
but under the new law limiting the num-
Der of voters in each precinct to BOO the
task of counting the ballots can readily be
accomplished on the evening of election
day.