The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-11-05
Important to Voters.

On the fourth page of this issue we
again print fac-simile of the official bal
lot to be voted next Tuesday. The names
of all candidates, it will be observed, are
on one ballot, or in other words the Dem
ocratic Republican, Prohibition and Peo-
pie party tickets are all on one ballot
and all will 20 into the ballot box together,
though no names will be counted except
those marked by the voter. The ballot
contains an endorsement on the back as
follows: "Official ballot for the-elec-
ton district of Carroll county inthe seco nd
congressional district of Maryland, election to
be held November s. 1892" Then follows
fac-simile of the signature of James +.
Smith, President of the Board of Super
visors of Election, and space for the mi
tials of the ballot clerk These are to be
written on.
There is nothing complicated about the
new system of voting as we said last week.
Under the old system the voter carried his
ballot to the polls with him, Or got it there
from some party friend. He then an
nounced his name, and it was looked for
on the registration book. If found, the
Judges deposited the ticket i'll the ballot
box. The voter then did not enter the
voting room. but voted through a window,
surrounded by as many people as chose to
crowd around, and often subjected to an
noyance from those who wanted him to
vote contrary to his wishes or who wanted
to see his ticket Under the new system
he votes in the room where the judges sit,
and can fix his ballot without moles tation.
The following card of instructions to
voters has been issued by the Secretary of
State and will give voters further infor-
nation:
Any person desiring to vote must enter the
voting room and give his name, and residence
if requested. to one Of the ballot clerks if
| his name is fonnd upon the list of registered
! voters he must enter the space inside the
rail ballot clerk shall then give him one
| ticket to be marked with initials of the clerk
before delivery to the voter.
After receiving the ballot, the voter must
retire alone to one Of the voting cOmpart-
ments and prepare his ballot by marking in
| the margin y at the right of and opposite
! the name or emblem of party as Il vote for
all the group of candidates Of that party; or
make such y mark at the right of and oppo
site the name of the candidates of his choice
! for each Office to be filled or he can write
the name of the candidate for each office to
| be filled in blank space provided, and make
a opposite thereto. A stamp with y
lcross) thereon will be provided for the use
of the voter In marking his ballot, a voter
can use or copy any unofficial sample ballot
to assist him in preparing his official ballot
but the sample ballot used must not be OF the
color or quality of paper of the official ballot;
and the voter must make and deposit his
ballot without undue delay. Before leaving
the compartment the voter must fold his bal
lot without displaying the y marks, or in
same way as when given him. he shall then
hand the folded ballot TO the judge OF cleo
ton. As soon as his vote is taken he must
leave the polling-room and cannot again en-
ter the enclosed space.
! A voter must not go into any compartment
occupied by another, or overlook or converse
with any other voter while engaged IN COM
partment, nor can he occupy one for more
| than five minutes if others are waiting.
No person shall take or remove any ballot
from the polling place before the close of the
polls. If voter spoils ballot he may OBJ
tain others from the ballot clerks, one at
time, not exceeding three in all upon return
ing each spoiled one.
! A voter who is blind. or who cannot read,
or who from physical disability is unable to
mark his ballot, may apply to the two ballot
clerks to assist him in marking the same.
voter of foreign birth who cannot speak Eng
/ lish is allowed to bring to the rail one person
| who can speak English to assist the voter in
property stating and spelling his name and
| in establishing his residence, and to aid him
| in correctly understanding questions.
| A voter must not mark more names than
! there are persons to be elected if he does,
! the ballot will not be counted.
| Any voter who shall allow his ballot to be
seen, with an apparent intention of letting it
be known how he is to vote, or places any
distinguishing mark thereon, or any person
who shall attempt to interfere with any voter
inside the inclosed space, shall be fined not
less than five dollars nor more than one hun
dred dollars.