The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1895-01-02
SECRETARY OF STATE TAYLOR
Explains the Election Law to the
Ladies in Regard TO Female
Suffrage on The school Board
Question.

Question.
Within the last two weeks Sec
retary of State Taylor has been in
receipt of inquiries from women all
over the state requesting specific
instructions for the guidance of the
fair sex In making nominations for
candidates for members of School
Boards, and the methods of con-
Quoting such elections The Sec
retary has issued circular letter
for distribution among the ladies,
and will forward the same on ap-
plication. In substance he says:
Your favor OF recent date, asking
certain questions In reference to
the recent act of the Legislature
"to secure voice in school affairs
to the women of Ohio on equal
terms with men," has been duly
received; and, in reply to your in
terrogatories, will say:
1. Under the election laws the
emblems adopted by the several
political parties to designate their
candidates cannot be used by any
other persons than electors repre-
senting such party. Neither can
women adopt any other emblem to
designate their candidates, as the
emblems in question are only au-
thorized to be adopted at a state
convention. Sec section 12 of the
ballot law. If the persons nomi-
mated by the women should happen
to be candidates regularly nomi-
mated by a certain political party
entitled to a device, the names of
such candidates, of course, could be
printed on the ballot under such
device, but not otherwise,
2. If the women conclude to
nominate candidates distinctively
their own, and do not desire to CO.
operate with any of the other par
ties in the selection of candidates
for the Offices for which they are
entitled to vote, am of the opin-
ion that under the law they have a
perfect right to do so. They must,
however, in certifying the candi-
dates nominated to the Board OF
Deputy State Supervisors, specify
as to each the Offices for which
nominated, the party or political
principles which she represents
expressed in not more than three
words and the place and residence
with street and number thereon, ii
any.
So far as the conduct of the elec-
tion is concerned it will he much
as heretofore. The precinct officers
who preside over the election fol
members of the School Board, but
there must be a separate ballot, 6
separate ballot box and a separate
tally sheet, in which may be enter
ed the names of all persons, wheth
er women or males, who vote fol
members of School Board. II
making nominations, unless the
women participate with the othel
political parties, the nominations
will de required to be made by pc
tition, signed in the aggregate by
not less than 25 electors, and mus
be filed with the Board of Deput,
State Supervisors not less than L
days previous to the election
Aside from the requirements tina
there shall be separate ballot boz
a separate ballot and tally sheet
the methods of conducting the cleo
tion, so far as making nomination.
marking the ballots, &C., are con
cerned, is practically the same a
heretofore.
I would be glad to furnish sue
instructions by which they Nigh
be guided in each step from tn
nominations to the polls fit wer
possible to do SO in a letter, bu
there are 30 many requirement
under the new law that it Is abst
lutely out Of the question, and
can only recommend a careful p'
rusal of the law If they desire
acquaint themselves with it's pr
visions that they may exercise tn
privilege bestowed upon them h
the Legislature In an intelligel
manner.