Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-26
HOW TO CAST YOUR BALLOT.
Suggestions That Every Voter Il In
tercsted In.

ttTcstcu HE
To the Editors Of the Salem Tmes-Regis-
ter:
1t has occurred to me that few words
in regard TO the new election-law. as 10
the mode of voting Hereunder in the
next elections. will not be out Of place.
The person offering to vote will be sup
piled with a ballot at the precinct by
one OF the judges Of the election. Upon
receipt of this ballot the voter at once
retires into the voting booth, where he
will be concealed from view. and where
he will find pen and ink. When he lays
his ballot down open upon the table or
desk in the said booth. he will find the
names Of all OF the candidates for any
office or offices for which an election is
held printed thereon. He then draws a
line with pen or pencil through the
names OF the candidates he does not wish
to vote for, and leaving untouched the
names of the candidates he wishes to
vote for. II there are three or four candi-
dates for the same office. say for Con-
gress, every name must be scratched
except the name of the candidate voted
for. II two names for the same office
remain unscratched, the ballot Is void.
The PEN or pencil-mark must be drawn
at least three fourths through the name
OF the candidates not voted for. and, out
of abundant caution. 1t would be well
To draw a line entirely through the name
not voted for.
No voter Is allowed to remain in the said
booth to the obstruction OF other voters,
longer than two and one half minutes.
After the voter has thus marked the
names not voted for he must fold his bal
III l.. 4 10 tsacs
the inside. and when this is done he takes
II to the judge OF the election. who. with
out opening il, places 1t in the ballot-boX
No voter TO whom a ballot has been
delivered Is allowed to carry il further
than the booth. and no one is allowed TO
have any conference with voter, or rem
der him any assistance in voting except
the special constable, who Is person Sc
lected by the Electoral Board of each
county, and who must be honest and dis
Greet and able to read and write. The
special constable is allowed to assist those
persons in preparing their ballots who
from physical iniirmity or from inability
to read and write are unable to vote, and
he renders the assistance within the
bounds allowed him to these classes Of
voters who request him so TO do.
At the approaching election. which will
be held on Tuesday, November 9th. the
qualified voters will also be- allowed To
vote on the question OF amending our
State Constitution. 1t IS generally known
that the Court OF Appeals in Mary Miller's
case decided that 1t was uncons JitutlOnal
for justices of the peace to try persons
charged with certain offences, for the
reason that the accused was deprived
of his right TO trial by jury. Thus, the
most trifing and insignificant cases are
sent to a grand jury. and ultimately are
tried by a petit july. \ burden Of over
$50, 900 per annum Is put upon the tax
payers to meet these criminal expenses,
which are. for the most part, useless and
extravagant.
II the jurisdiction TO try these cases
IS given back TO the ma gistrates this
expense will be stopped. Those in favor
OF restoring the jurisdiction Of the JUS
tees of the peace will vote a ballot for
the amendment" and those who do not
favor 1t will vote against the amend
ment," these being the forms OF the
ballots provided by the law authorizing
the voting upon the cald question.
Respectfully submitted
HENDERSON LEBE.