Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-24
THE NEW ELECTION LAW OF NEW
YORK


The ballot reform bill that has Just be-
come law in the State of New York, after
the veto of two other bills by Governor
Hill that looked in the same direction, is
now before US. In no other State has the
question of ballot reform been so much
discussed, or the measures proposed con.
corning it so holly contested. 1t is, there.
fore, of special Importance to know just
what the New York law is While we dc
not recognize it as the best, it is an ad.
vance, decided gain for the movement to
secure secrecy and inviolability Of
the ballot. The new law is notable fol-
these distinguishing features, which Justify
an extended explanation:
1t goes into effect July 1st of this year
All ballots are to be official and printed at
public expense. Cards of instruction are
to beprinted by each county and furnished
to every voter in ample time for HIM 10
gain an understanding of the law Nom
nations may be made by conventions, or
voters in groups, to the number specified
in the law. A Convention of party char
acter is recognized, the party of which at
the next election just before the holding
of the convention cast one per cent. of the
vote of the State, county, or district.
The proof and the list of nominations
are certified by the party officials and fled
for State nominations with the State De-
partment, for county and district nomina-
tions with County Clerks Where a NOM
ination is to be made for State or district
Office, voters of the district in which the
Office is to be filed to the number of 1000
for the State, ii for less district 80, for
county 100, and for villages, towns and
cities, Brooklyn and New York other
numbers, may nominate by making GER
tiicate the same as do Conventions and
primaries. But no certificate shall contain
more names for one position than there are
persons to be elected TO the trust, and no
person shall sign more than one certificate
For State elections the certificates must
be fled at least thirty, and for county Of
fees at least twenty days before the day of
election. Where the nomination is BY
citizens not in Convention somewhat
shorter minimum of time is allowed The
Secretary Of State then certifes to every
County Clerk what the nominations are
and at least six days before the election
the Clerk must publish list of the nomi-
nees with detail as to the residence, oc-
cupation and other facts, TO insure the
identity of the candidate being arrived at
The publication must not be confined to
the press of any one political party.
1t is unnecessary to enter into all the
details with regard to similar procedure
in town and village elections. The same
general principle governs except that in
very small election districts posting takes
the place of publication of the lists of
nominees. If nominee declines at any
time prior TO twelve days before the cleo
ton, the fact must be certified to the
proper officer and notice of the declination
be given. Provision is made for obiec-
tions to be heard and determined TO the
nomination OF any person. Ii q nominee
resigns or dies before election, committee
of the party that nominated may fill the
vacancy and under oath certify up the
fact as in the first instance, but it is
done under oath and with specific and
careful detail.
The ballots are to be printed under the
direction Of the County Clerks, and with
uniformity as to paper, color, style, etc.
Sample copies of the ballots are to be
prepared and put at command for public
inspection at least seven days before the
election, and the official ballots may be in
spected by the candidates or their agents
at least four days before the election. Ev-
ery ballot is to be perforated at the top for
a stub one inch wide. On it is TO be
printed the number; below the stub is to
be printed in type, designated by the law,
the title of the Offices and the names OF
the nominees made by Conventions, pri-
maries or committees. There are also to
be printed sufficient ballots containing
only the title of the Office to be filled, and
without the names of the nominees.
There are to be as many kinds of ballots
as there are parties nominating by Con-
vention, and as there are groups of citi-
zens nominating, as earlier described.
The form, size and style Of printing the