Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-06-17
Outiirs OF NationAl Election Bill.

| he NATIONAL election bill ~ framed By
the House republican caucus committee
introduced by Representative Lodge ci
Massachusetts. has lust been printed. Tn,
following are the principal features Of th.
m.asure the chief supervisors Of election,
/ IN Judicial districts are charge With the ex
ecution of the Law, "a ch 10 to apply Il
federal elections in cities Of 20. .O.o ,nhxb
itAnts and upwards, and III entire tongres
sioaAl districts exclusive of such cite,
| upon application TO the supervisors by l0t
voters, or in counties aud parishes forming
part of such Congressional district upon
( apple alton from 30 voters. The super
risors are to guard and supervise the regis
vration and plans for sscertaining who ars
| legal voters Upon notice from the chiei
| supervisors, United States circuit courts
are required to open for the purpose OF
transActing registration and election mat
| ters- The supervisors are TO be appointed
by the circuit coarts-three in each elec-
lion district or voting precinct, but two Of
the same political party.
These supervisors are to attend all regis-
traiions In their districts, challenge per.
sons, personally inspect and copy the orig
inal re registration books and papers. attend
elections. detect and expose improper OF
wrongful manipalatiAn Of the lists. In
case of failure, at the local election, of
ofiicers to put the statutory oath TO the
challenged voter and to pass at once upon
his qualifications, the supervisors are 10
apply the test and receive and deposite the
vote. and making the list Of all such chal-
Eienges. Also to personally inspect the
ballot boxes before elections. keep the in
a. a.
| ted votes (endorsel with the name of the
voter in envelopes. They are required
| To make in towus of 1900 people and up
| wards. u thorough house toulouse canvass.
bs fore the election. to inform voters upon
inquiry where aud in what box to deposits
| ballots and scrutinixe naiuralikstions.
In caDvsssing the votes the State laws 10
govern except that all ballots are to be
counted by tens, firsHby the inspector of
elections second by supervisor, the local
election officers and supervisors keeping
separate tally sheets which are to be com
pared and the result publicly announced.
Ballots deposited in the wrong box are TO
counted. Returns are to be made BY the
supervisors in duplicate to clerks of the
United States circuit courts and 10 the
chief supervisor who is to tAbulaie and re-
fer them to the United States board of can
vsssers of congressional vote appointed by
the United States circuit court and to con
sist Of three citizens of the State. persons
of good repute. and not more than two of
the same political party.
Board to convene November Is, each
even year. to determine and certify the re-
suit of the election. and send one return to
the Clerk of the House of Representa-
tives, one to the Governor of the State
and one ito the proper chief supervisor of
elections; the Clerk of the House to place
upon the roll of memberselect the names
of persons declared elected by the United
States canvassers, in case there is a differ
ence in the retult reached by them and the
State election officers. penalty Of be-
tween 1000 and g. 900 is provided in care
the clerk neglects this duty. Every ballot
box to clearly Inscribed as to its nature,
and the boxes to be kept in plain sight
open to inspection.
Bribery or attempted bribery by the
voters or election officers 10 made punisha
Bile BY fine or imprisonment. or both.
Like penalties are provided for false regis
tration and vote repeating, coercion of
supervisors or yoters, improper conduct of
election tftcers, false canyas,ing, ballot
box stufiing, fraudulent ballot distribution,
resistance to supervisors Law full commands,
breech of peace at registration or election.
intimidation. and almost every kind Of
election fraud.