The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-01-04
sPRINn ELECTIONS
How to Prepare for Them Underline
Naus aW


townships OF this county, on February 2
next. will be conducted precisely as w-s th'
election in November last So far as the
actual voting and the duties OF officers on
election day are concerned the provisions o.
the Baker Ballot Law applicable 70 both
these elections are identical. BG, with re
gard to the preliminaries there are differ
ences OF the utmost importance. The meth
cd Of nominating tickets for the February
election. and Of preparing the ballots tor the
third Tuesday OF that month. are 50 radical
ly different under the new Law from the
custom oflong standing in many districts,
that officials upon whom duties are deTOlv-
ed by the new law, as well as citizens inter
ested in local political affairs and in the pro-
motion Of good municipal government
should lose no time in familarizing them.
selves with the new requirements. To aid
in the dissemination Of information on this
subject, we herewith present an epitome Of
those requirements Of the Baker Ballot Law
which will materially effect the 50 election
districts of Somerset county in preparing for
the February election. aud which differ from
the provisions that controlled the prepara-
tions for the election in November.
IN THE BORoUGHs.
In borOughs one primary and one certifi-
cate will suffice for each party.
These certificates, which will be furnished
in blank by thec5unty commissioners, mus
be flied with the borough auditors, and it
then becomes the duty of these officials,
after the time for filing objections has ex-
pired, to see that proper aud legal ballots,
the cost Of which is to be paid by the coun-
ty, are prepared and ready for election day
The time for filing certificates in boroughs
is not less than ten days before the election
but it will be well to have all the primaries
much earlier than this lmany townships
have fixed on the last Saturday in January
as suitable date, so as to allow ample time
for the discharge ofthe sponsible duties
with which the auditors will be charged.
Nominations for any borough Office may
also be made by nomination papers or peti-
tons signed by at least three per centum Of
the largest entire vote cast for any officer
elected al the last election in the borough.
To get name on the official ballot for chief
burgess in the borough Of Berlin for instance
by virtue Of nomination papers, or petitions.
such papers must be signed by a. least three
per centum Of the number Ofyotes cast for
Chief Burgess at the election last February.
Such nomination papers or petitions must
be fled With the bJrough auditors not less,
than seven days before the election, but
should be filed much earlier for the reason
heretofore stated with regard to the certif
Gates of nomination.
Objections as to the form Of certificates OF
papers must be esent in writing %, and deter
mined By. the borough auditors. The time
for filing such objections is within three
days after the last day for filing. Objections
as to the validity OF certificates or papers in
5oroughs are filed within tie same period,
but with the Court of Common Pleas, TO be
By it,
WHAT TO DO IS TOWNSHIPS
In large number Of the townships of the
county the new law works a revolution in
he method of naming ticket. Il makes
mandatory, in order 10 get party representa-
ion on the official ballot. party primaries.
There is no other way for political parties to
get representation on the official ballot Here
iofore in many Of the townships primaries
have not been held, but in lieu thereof one
ticket was made up, having printed on ii
The names Of al who desired % run for Office
whether Democrat Or Repu5lican, and then
he voter on election day made his choice.
This was very easy, simple and satisfactory,
out the new law sets it aside and puts in its
place party primaries or nominating meet
ngs.
In undivided townships. only one certif-
ate will be ma ie out by each political pa7-
". II will be filed with the township aud
tors. Bat in townships that are divided
nto two OF more election districts, such IS
(uemahoning. it viii be the duty Of the
,fiiceFs Of the primary meeting in each elec.
ion district first 70 certify to the township
auditors the party nominees for jldge and
Inspector Of elections and also for registry
assessor aud then to consolidate the vote of
he townships on school directors, suPeTvi-
lOrs, constable and the other township
,ilicers, and jointly certify on the blank form
furnished by the county commissioners the
names Of the nominees to the township
auditors.
This must be done, according to the letter
If the law, at least zen days before the cleo
ion. But it may be we'll 10 reiiera.e here
what was said with regard TO this matter
lnder the head of borougbs, that ia order
% give the auditors sufficient time to prop
.riy discharge their duties the primaries
should he held not later than the last 5 .iur-
lay in January, and the csrtiicIes d!ei
thereafter.
Nomination papers or petitions may a,so
De fled in townships Affairs, and the caudi-
ia!es thus pet.tioned Tor are entitled To be
named on the official ballot, providing the
papers are signed by a. least three per cent.
If the largest entire vote csst Tor any ofice.
elected at tbe last election in the district or
.ownship for which the nomination paper
S intended. Such nomination paper mus
De filed with the auditors a. leas. seven days
,,fore the election, bat should be i.el much
iooner than this, as was explained above 50
hat the auditors may have safii .ient time
o prepare for election day.
Objsciions as to the form OF any township
certificates or paper must be sent in writing
o the auditors within three days after the
As; day for filing, bat objections as to the
Ialidity of sach papers or certificates 90 to
he Common Pleas Court ofthe county for
lecision within the same limit Of time.
Il then becomes the duty OF the township
auditors TO arrange the jl.a liiei with tsem
or the official ballot, the eKpsnse OF print
ng which Is borne, by The county. A sep
rate and d lT-rent ballot will be Necessary
n each election district. and in the town
hip orc iemahOaiag for instance, two se;s
# ballots viii bs prepared. o1s set foc each
lection district. Great ease must necessa-.-
' be exercised 5y the aaiitors in doing tbs
york A mistake in the form or matter Of
he ballot might inva.iilte the election.
Application at the cOunty commissioners
'fiice for proper blanks aud insirac.ioGs
viii doubtless aid auditors materially in
onclgding their work IN legal manner.