Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-03-10
WHO CAN VOTE
Qualifications Of School Electors
Set Forth.
Valuable Information Issued by State
Superintendent Ackerman-Qual-
itcations of Candidates.

In view OF the many changes that
were made In the school laws by the
state legislature at the late session,
State Superintendent of Public In.
struction J. II. Ackerman has deemed
1t expedient TO issue special instruc'
tions to county superintendents rela.
tive to the questions in regard to
which there apptars TO be the most
doubt.
Perhaps the matter INVOLVED in the
most uncertainty by reason Of the
changes made In the laws Is that of
the qualt ticatiun of school electors
In reference TO this Mr.. Ackerman
has issued letter of instructions Ia
which he quotes the provisions OF the
law. These provisions, which must
govern all school elections 10 the state
read as follows,
SECTION. 1. In all school districts
In this STATE now created or that shall
hereafter be created, any citizen OF
this state, male or female, married or
unmarried, shall be entitled to vote
at any school election or school meet
ing, who is q years of age, and has
resided in the district 30 days immed-
lately preceding the meeting or cleo
tion, and who has property In the dis
trict OF the value Of at least $780, as
shown by the last preceding county
assessment, upon which he Or she is
required TO pay tax; provided. that
in districts OF less than 1000 inhabit-
ants, women who are widows and male
citizens over 81 years of age,
who have children In the dis
trict OF school age, and who
shall have resided Ia the district 30
days, as aforesaid, shall be ehtltled to
vote at any school meeting for the
election OF school directors or school
clerk.
"SECTIoN. 3. All school districts in
this state haYing school population
OF 1000 or over, as shown by the last
preceding school census, shall be sub
diYided into voting wards by the
directors OF such district, such wards
TO conform as near as possible TO the
city wards comprised ia its bounda-
rles, The board of directors OF all
such districts shall establish at least
one polling place In each ward, the
judges and clerks OF which shall be
qualified electors within the prOvis-
ions OF this act, and residents of such
ward; and each elector shall be re-
quired TO cast his or her ballot in that
ward In which he or she re-
sides "
Another question that has been pro-
pounded TO the state superintendent
with great deal OF persistency is
that OF the qualifications OF school
directors. In response TO demand
for information upon this point, Mr.,
Ackerman has issued the following
circular of instruction:
"The question has been asked
whether or not persons who have the
requisite qualifications TO vote for
school director or school clerk, only,
have the requisite qualifications for
holding the Office Of school director
or school clerk. Replying TO said
question will say that, In my Opin-
ion, II person has the requisite
qualifications TO vote for school di-
rector or school clerk, only said per-
son has the requisite qualifications
for school director or school clerk.
"You will notice by IA careful read
Ing Of the law covering qualifications
OF voters that IL makes provision for
Two classes OF voters; one OF which
can vote at any school election meet
ing upon any question:; the other be-
ing composed OF women who are
widows and male citizens oyer n years
OF age who have children In the dis
Jrict OF school age, and who snail have
resided In the district 30 days as afore-
said, shall be entitled 20 vote at any
school meeting, for the election OF
sci ool directors or school clerk
That Is TO say, this latter
class can vote for school director
or school clerk, only, and
herce are qualified, according 20
this ruling, TO hold the ONCE
OF school director or school clerk.
have based this opinion upon
sections 81 and so, page 43, OF the Or
egon school laws, which reads as fol-
lows:
Section 81, Any person, male or
female, who is a qualified voter at
school elections, shall be eligible to the
Office OF school director ia such dis
tricts.
Sec. 50. Al such general or spec
ial elections in such districts the only
oricers voted for shall be that Of di-
rectOrs aud clerk"
CTTK uEAnAHIIE ApaOI IT1TEI Y AMI