Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-27
FOR BALLOT REFORM.

FOR BALLOT REFORM.
Synopsis of the Bill Drafted by the PENN
| syIvnnia Associafion-How TO Relieve
and Choose Candidafes-secrecy of the
Ballot Guarnnteed-Bribery q Misde-
. mennor-A Bill for Honest men to
study.
The Pennsylvania Ballot Reform Associa-
| tion, which embraces in its membership such
| men as Hon. Daniel Agnew, Hon. Chauncey F..
Black. Henry @. Lea, Hon. John i. Mitchell,
and others equally well known, has, through
an able committee drafted Ballot Reform
Bill which will be presented at the next session
of the Legislature. A synopsis follows:
section l. The printing and distribution of
ballots at all elections TO be a county charge.
Secs. 2-9 Nominations-Party conventions
may hle certificates of nominations with the
secretary OF the Commonwealth DR. for local
omces, with the County Commissioners Nom
ination papers, signed by 1000 citizens nomi-
mating candidate for State office. 200 for a
city, county, Congressional or Legislative office
and 70 Tor any other Office, may be similarly
nied. Certificates and papers so filed shall be
open to inspection and objections made thereto
snail be considered. Candidates may withdraw
by filing written request
Secs. lois. Ballots-AlI ballots used at the
same voting place at any election shall be
alike, and shall contain the names and ad-
dresses of all candidates, arranged under the
Titles or their offices, with proper party or other
designations and space to the right of each
name, where cross mark (X) may be made to
indicate the candidate voted for There shall
be blank at the end of every list for the in
sertion of names of persons not nominated.
Ita1 hall
missioners and sent in sealed packages to the
judges of elections. The names of all candI.
dates are to be advertised as they are to appear
on the ballots, and copies of the ballots posted
about the voting places. Provisions made for
replacing loss ballots.
Secs. 1913 Voting Places-In every voting
place sufficient number of voting shelves or
compartments, at least / for every so names
on the Assessors list shall be provided, in
which voters may mark their ballots screened
from the observation Of others and guard rail
placed SO that only tho election officers and
persons voting can approach within six feet of
the ballot boxes or voting compartments.
Secs. 1920. The Secret BalIot-Upon receiv-
ing his ballot the voter shall, before leaving
the enclosed space, retire alone to one of the
compartments and prepare his ballot by placing
cro>s-mark Ky opposite the name of the can
didate OF his choice, or by filling in the blank
space provided therefor the name of any per-
son desired, and in the case of a question sub
mitted to the vote of the people. by marking in
the appropriate margin cross-mark (X) oppo-
site the answer which he desires to give.
Before leaving the voting compartment the
voter shall fold his ballot, without displaying
the marks thereon. and after obtaing from the
election officer ana marking thereon the num-
Der Of the ballot, and covering the same by
pasting over it the corner of the ballot already
prepared with adhesive paste, shall deposit the
ballot In the box. ..|
Each party or group Of citizens that has filed
a nomination paper shall be allowed one watcher
at each voting place, VINO shall be allowed to re-
main in the voting room outside the guard rail.
No persons besides those duly authorized and a
number of voters not exceeding 10 shall be per-
mitted to remain in the voting place. All lists
of voters. with the number of their ballots. as
now required by law, shall be enclosed in sealed
envelopes before the opening of the ballot
boxes at the closing of the polls. No person
shall take a ballot from the voting place. If
voter inadvertently spoils ballot he may OBJ
tain another upon returning the spoiled one.
Secs 21-22. Illiteracy-If any voter declares |
10 the presiding election officer under oath that
because of illiteracy or physical inability he is |
unable to mark his ballot, the officer shall di- |
rect two oficers.representing opposite political |
parties, to aid the said voter in preparing his |
ballot in the voting compartment.
Secs. 1926 Bribery and Intimidation-It is
made misdemeanor punishable by fine or i'm
'risonment, or both. for a voter to allow his
,allot to be seen with the intention of letting it
'e known how he is voting. or shall endeavor
o induce another to do SO, or shall make
alse statement as to his inability to mark his
,allot. OF shall attempt to cast any other than
he official ballot, shall interfere with any
otter when inside the guard rail.
Sec. 26 1t IS also made misdemeanor pun |
shable by fine or imprisonment, or both, to
villfuly destroy or deface any ballot or to will
ully destroy or suppress any nomination paper,
ny letter of withdrawal, or file any certificate
II paper of nomination, knowing the same to
10 falsely made.
Sec. a. Official Neglect-Any public officer
pon whom a duty is imposed by this act who
ball willfully neglect to perform such duty, or
Who shall willfully perform 1t in such way as
o hinder the objects of this act, or violate any
t its provisions, shall be punishable by fine
ot exceeding 81, 1000, or Imprisonment not ex-
eeding one year, or both.