Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-24
THE NEW ELECTION LAW.
Explanations - 70 the Duties Of Constabiss
and How Electors Shall Vote

Explanations - 70 the Duties Of Constabiss
and How Electors Shall Vote
Crhe Fincastle Herald)
As the approaching election Ii to be
held under the Walton law. ana the
method q voting under that law 70 some
what novel ana not familiar to our peo-
pfc. We give below some extracts from
Judge Simmonss opinion rendered In the
Buchanan case. recently decided by him.
Passing upon the duties OF the constable.
he said:
THE duties OF the constable are clearly
defined In the 18th section of the Wal
ton law. which Is to read the names or
the candidates for the several offices to
be voted for at the election being held.
az are printed on the official ballot. The
Only ballot allowed to be carried into or
from the booth TO be deposited In the
ballot-box
THE constable, under fines and penal
ties, Is not allowed to suggest other
names. II the voter desires 10 vote for
any other person than those whose names
appear upon the official ballot, he has
the right TO do so, but the constable
has no right to suggest any other name
tran is on that ballot. Nor can or should
ne be required to do more than what
the statute requires. II he does more
he violates the law. and should be re-
moved at the pleasure of the judges,
who should Immediately appoint another
vtc will discharge his duties as the law
directs.
"Who and what class OF voters IL the
.ybn ndtl-
ca,ionally or physically unable TO vote.
How? by reading the names and offices
on the ballot. What ballot? The Of
fetal ballot: and pointing out to him the
meme or names he Qhe voter may wish
10 strike out.
III the voter is physically unable by
reason of dimness of eyesight, or
pa,sied hand. to strike out the name or
names, the constable can, under the
clause or otherwise aid him In prepar-
ing his ballot strike out the names.
'If the voter Is totally blind the con-
stable shall prepare said ballot for said
elector In accordance with the instruc-
items of said elector.
This Is the only kind OF voter for
whom the constable can or shall prepare
a ballot for In accordance 10 instructions
of the voter.
'If the voter can see and has the physi-
ca! ability to strike out the name pointed
out by the constable. he Uhe voter
strikes out, and not the constable. tSee
Sec. H.
'If the constable prepares the ballot
for any voter and assists him who can
read or write and has eyesight and the
use of his hands sufficient to enable the
voter to prepare his own vote, he violates
the law
"If he does more than read the name
or names of the several candidates ana
the offices for which they are to be voted
for, over to a man that Is education1lly
unable to read and point out to him the
name or names of such as he desires TO
strike out he violates the law, provided
g, CHI voter has eyesght and the use or
ii, arms AMI hands sufficient to enable
him to strike out the names Of such per-
sons as he does rot wish TO vote for
The method of voting, the time allowed
for the preparation of ballot and voting,
and the penalty for violating the proVl-
sicns of certain sections should be tho
roughly understood by all voters.
Except in cases of challenges, etc. no
person other than the elector offering 10
vote. save the judges of election ana
clerks allowed by law. shall be with'n
forty feet of the ballot-box.
Every electOr 10 Nolt At ~
precinct shall when he so demands, be
furnished with an official ballot by one
Of the Judges of election, selected for that
duty by a majority Of the judges present
CThe said elector shall then take the said
official ballot and retire TO said voting
be oth) Gle, the voter. shall then draw
a line with a pen or pencil through the
name or names of the candidates
he does not wish to vote for
leaving the name or names OF the
candidate or candidates he does wish to
vote for unscratched) No name shall be
considered scratched unless the pen or
pencil mark shall exterd at least three
fcurths of the length of said name; and
no ballot save an official ballot. above
D, divided for. shall be counted for any
pe rson.
1t shall be unlawful for any elector to
carry the official ballot furnished him by
the Judge of election further than the
yoting-b booth, and should he. after inspect
ing the said ballot, conclude not to vote.
he must Immediately return said ballot
to the judges of election Except IN
cfses Of challenges, etc, no person shall
aCyise. counsel or assist any elector
by writing, word. or gesture, as to how
he shall vote or mark his ballot after
the same has been delivered to him by
the Judges Of election. Any person vio-
lsting the provisions Of this section shall
be deemed guilty Of a misdemeanor, and
lit on conviction thereof shall be fined not
less than 500 nor more than N,oc, and
in fail ciX months