Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-06-17
THE ELECTION LAW
APPLYING TO PRIMARIES as PASSED B
THE LEGISLATURE
At lis Last SeSsion-The Publication Requested
By the Executive COmmittes-Poltlcal
Points Throughout the County.

At last evenings session of the Demo
cratic County Executive Committee, held
at the Hotel Windsor, a resolution was
adopted requesting the publication of the
election law as passed by the Legislature
at its last session. The law in question IN
its entirety is as follows
CHAPTER XVI.
An ACT concerning elections and nominating
conventions. 10 maintain political. purify ana
prescribing the punishment for any VIOLATION
thereof.
Passed February u, 1880
r. II enacted 5ythe Legislature of West Virginia:
That AN, person being candidate for nom
ination To any office of profit or trust under the
Constitution or laws 81 this state, OF Of the
United States. before any convention held by
any political party. or at any primary eltcuoh'
wso loans pays or gives OF PROMISES !" i1an
nav or giyeany money or other thing OF value
10 anV delegate: OF who furnishes or pays the
transportation or expenses Of any delegate 10
anV convention. for the purposes OF securing the
vote or influence OF such delegate for hlS nom
nation: and whoever hires or otherwise en-
ploys Tor consideration. any person 10 work Tor
the nomination OF any person 90 any oincc- or
Co work for the selection of any delegate 10 pc
chosen at any party convention or primary tlec-
tinu shall upon conviction thereof. be- Inrd not
les. than three hundred dollars nor more than
one thousand dollars and confined IN the county
Jail Not less than thirty days nor more imam SIN
months.
loans or giyc> directly or indirectly. or offers or
promise, To- loan. or give any money, or other
thing of value. 90 any elector. for the purpose o
influencing or retaining the vote OF such elrc-
tor or induce such clcctor 10 work or labor for
the election OF such candidate, ortorefraun from
working or laboring for the election Of such
candidate or 10 refrain from working or labor
iug FOR the election uf any other candidate or
Ia amy person 60 secure or To- retain the influence
or vote of such clector In his behalf as such
candidate. or To be- USED by such person in any
wnv to influence the vote OF any elector, or oI
electors generally. for himself or any cahdl-
date or ticket. aud whoever hires or oih"rWi>c
employs for consideration, any person to work
al the polls ON election day. for the election ol
an, candidate. 10 be- voted for ~ such election,
on conviction thereof. shall be- fined not less
than three hundred dollars nor more than one
thousand dollars. aud shall bee confined In the
county Jail not less than thirty days nor more
than >iN months.
3 ANY person who shall give or offer To give,
directly or indirectly any money. property, or
other thingOf value. to amy clecior 10 influence
his vote 40 any regular election. held IN tins
State puSuant 10 law: or who shall at any such
election. solicit. furnish. or receive any money.
or other means for such purpose; or who shall
aid. advise, counsel or suggest to any person. OF
to persons generally. To use or lrocur" any
money or other means 10 bee used to induce, hire
or buy any person or persons 10 vote or refrain
from voting for any candidate or candidates or
ta remain away from the polls 40 any election,
whether or not any such person shall act or at
tempt 20 act upon any such counsel advice or
suggestion. shall be- guilty of m>drmeanor.
and upon conviction thereof. shall De lined not
Jess than three hundred dollars nor more than
one thousand dollars. and shall le confined IN
the county mil not less than thirty days nor
more than six months.
:. ANY person who shall. directly or Indirect
H. give. offer or promise 10 give. 20 any clector.
any money. property or other thing of value.
for the purpose of preventing. influencing. in
ducng or procuring such elcctOr 20 refrain from
voting or To remain away from the polls at any
election held under the laws of this state, shall
be- guilty OF miSdcmcanor. and upon conyic-
tion thereof shall bee fined not less than three
hundred dollars nor more than one thousand
dollars and shall bee confined ia IA" county Jail
not less than thirty days nor more than six
months
>. ANY person not duly authorized by law,
who shall. during the progress Of any election
i'm this State. or after the closing II the polls
and before the ballots are counted and re-
suit ascertaiurd or within six months there
after. break open or violate. the seals or locks
of ANY ballot box. paper envelope. or bag. IN
which ballots have been deposited 40 or after
such election. or who shall obtain possession of
such ballot box. paper, envelope or bag. contain
iug such ballots and cancel, withhold or destroy
such ballots, or who shall fraudulently or forci-
blv add to or diminish the number of ballots
legally deposited therein. or who shall fraudu-
lcutly make any eraSure cor alteration OF any
kind. upon any tally->hcet. poll book. list Of
voters. or election returns deposited therein.
shall De- guilty 81 felony. and upon conviction
thereof shall be- confined in the pcnitcntiary
not less than one year nor more than three
wears.
g. II shall be- the duty Of the Judge Of the Cir
cult Court. no every term thereof. To give thi,
act i'm special charge Ia the grand jury
= Every person called a. "a witness To any
violation OF ANY of the provisions Of this act.
timonv shall not be- given in evidence against
him in any prosecution for such otirnse.
: Nothing in this act shall be- ~ construed as
to prevent the employment OF political speakers
iu any campaign. or 10 prevent the holding OF
political demonstrations, or the distribution or
circulation Of campaign documents and liter
tfur,. for marty purpo~e~.