The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-03
LOUISIANA ELECTION LAW.
AN ACT
No. 1870

and conducting elections; by prescri-
bling the time and methods in which
nominations Shall be made and certi-
fed; for providing for the division Of
parishes, cities and towns into con-
venient election precincts; by provid-
ing for the appointment of officers
to conduct such elections and defin-
ing their duties, by describing the
manner in which the votes Of cleo
tors shall be taken. and the count and
returns thereof made; by providing
for the punishment OF violations Of
this law and repeating all laws in
conflict with the same.
Section i. BE it enacted by the gen.
eral assembly OF the State OF LOuisi-
ana, that al! ballots cast in all elections
and for delegates to any constitutional
cOnventfou after the first day Of No.
vember in the year eighteen hundred
and ninety six shall be printed and dis
tributp1 at public expense, as herein
after crowded. The printing Of the
ballots, tally sheets and cards Of in
structicHs to voters and their distribu-
ton sIiall be paid for by the State.
Section q Be it further enacted,
ETC.. that the genera! election Of the
state AMI parish officers shall be held
once every four years, on the first
Tuesday, next following the third Mon
day in .Hrril.
Section ). Be 1t further enacted,
etc, that all officers, the time and place
Of whose election is not otherwise pro-
vided for by law, shall be elected at the
time ana place provided by law for
the election OF senators and represent
atives.
That it shall be the duty of the gov
emo, at least thirty day. before each
general election, to issue his proclama-
tion giving notice thereof. which shall
be published in the official journal
The board Of supervisors Of election
Of each parish, shall give fifteen days
notice of every general election by ad-
vertisenenti in the official journal of
their parish, If there be one, and by
posting at four public places in the par
1sh IL there be no official journal in said
parish. But no default by the COVER
nor or the parish board Of supervisors
of election to issue said proclamation
shall deprive the people of their rights
to hold an election as fixed by law, or
vitiate said election when held.
Section H. Be it further enacted,
etc. that when the seat of any repre-
sentative or senator becomes vacant,
and there shall be &, session of the geh-
eral assembly before the next general
election. it shall be the duty ofthe gov
ernor within five days after being Off
% cially notified OF such vacancy, to is
sue his writ Of election, directed to the
proper supervisors Of election, whose
duty it shall be within three days af-
ter its receipt, to give public notice that
an election will be held to fill such va
canCy on date to DO named by them,
which shall not be less than eight nor
more thain fifteen days after the publ
cation Of such notice and such election
shall be conducted and the returns
thereof made in the manner required by
law for general elections.
Section s.. BE it further enacted,
ETC., in every year in which elections
are to he held for electors Of president
and vice-presilent, said elections shall
be held on the first Tuesday next fol-
lowing the first Monday in November,
1896, and every four years thereafter,
and ere to be conducted and the returns
made II, the same manner as herein
provided for general elections. The
secretary OF state, or, in case Of a va
cancy in that Office, the state auditor,
shall ascertain from the returns, the
persons who received the greatest num-
Der Of votes actually cast; and the gov
ernor shall issue a certificate of cleo
ton to the said persons and they shall
be authorized to cast the vote Of the
state for the president and vice res-
dent.
All general elections for representa-
tives in congress shall be held on the
first Tuesday next following the first
Monday in November, 1896, and every
two years thereafter, and shall be con-
Quoted in the same manner as elections
for representatives to the general as
sembIy.
Section 6. Be it further enacted,
etc, in case of vacancy in said office
OF representative in congress, between
the general elections, it shali>be the
duty OF the governor by proclamation,
to cause an election to be held accord
ing to law, to fill such vacancy. Flee
tions shall be held in the precincts and
at the polling places hereinafter defln-
ed and herein below directed to be es-
tablished,
Section I. Be it further enacted,
etc, that in all elections by the people.
the person or persons having the high
est number Of votes shall be deemed
and declared to be elected; but no per-
sons receiving the same number of
votes. shall be deemed to be elected if,
thereby q greater number would be
elected than required by law. The
election of such officers thus not elect
ed shall be returned to the people, pub
lie notice Of ten days to be tirts given