The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-13
N AUSTRALIAN BALLOT LAW.
WILL BE INTRODUCED BY
BIZ STEWART OF MURRAY.

one of the POpulist Members
he ro House-Measure Was Drawn
nudge j. X. Hines-PrOvides
nominations Shall BE Made,
of Ballots and How the
.,nc shall Be Done-SimiIar to
LAW of Illinois.
',.,ts Nov. 12-Mr. Stewart of Muir
of the Populist members of the
h'' ,vi,l introduce in the House Mon
ar Tuesday a bill for an Australian
o., law. The bill, which was drawn
~, Judge James X. Hines, erstwhile
9,,glist candidate for Governor, is on the
-. If the law now in vogue in the state
:, rinois. 1t provides that any conven-
", of delegates, or any caucus or meet
,.rof qualified voters, may nominate can
.3.,ss for public office, whose names shall
s.,lsced upon the ballots, 10 be furnished
y. tte expense of the state. in state cleo
s,,s and by the counties and cities in
,,nnty and city elections
,rv convention, caucus or meeting, rep
,.sntine a political party, which at the
..,sraI election next preceding polled at
,..st per cent. of the entire vote cast in
,tis state. or in the electoral district or
3,5sion thereof, or municipality, may
make one nomination for each office which
/, 10 be filed at the election a certificate
If nomination for state offices to be filed
With the secretary of state. and for county
ot9ces with the clerk of the Superior Court
Of the county.
Nominations for state officers may be
made by nomination papers, signed in the
aggregate for each candidate by not less
than 100 qualified voters in the state.
Nominations for officers within any dis
trct or political division less than state,
o.. in other words, county and municipal
officers and members of the general as
am5ly, and in all cities having popula-
ton Of more than 5000, may also be made
by nomination papers, signed in the ag-
regate for each candidate, by not less
laan one qualified voter for each fifty per-
sons who voted at the next preceding gen
sral election, but in no case by less than
twenty-five. There must be per cent. OF
the vote in cities less than 5000.
The certificate must specify the office to
which each man is nominated, the polit-
zeal party he represents and his place of
residence. For presidential electors the
names of the candidates for President or
Vice President may be added TO the party
name,
Any candidate has the right to withdraw
MS name from the ballot not less than fif-
teen days after notification to the Secre-
ary Of state and eight days after the no
udcation to the proper clerk.
The bill does not change the present
manner Of opening and closing the polls.
It provides however for the appointment
Of a bipartisan board of election mana
gers, representing the two parties which
poled the highest number of votes at the
last election
Double the number of ballots of the
votes poled at the last election is to be
furnished, by the proper authorities, to
eection managers at least twelve hours
before the polls are opened, who shall re-
cept for the same. In case the managers
are fearful that there are not enough
ballots, they may, by a majority, or one
Of them by making oath to that effect,
require the authorities to furnish an ad-
diOnal number.
Constitutional amendments must be
clearly indicated on the ballot, against
which the voter can write yes or no.
The managers are required to post cards
Of Instructions to voters in several pub
lie places near the polls. The authorities
snail provide voting booths for the use
Of the voters the number of which shall
not be less than one for each 100 voters
VINO voted at the last election. 1t also
provides penalties for voters who allow
their ballots to be seen.
The method of voting is by marking a
cross preceding the name of the candidate
Tor whom he wishes to vote. Whole partv
uokets may be voted by placing the cross
a. The head of the ticket
hiectioneerlng is prohibited within 100
iaet Of the polling places, each offense be-
ing punishable by a fine of from S25 TO
1t is provided that any person who may
De unable 10 read the English language or
10 properly mark his ballot may be assist
u W TWO OF the managers or clerks who
must De representatives of opposing par
ues or interests. And they shall not be
voted
A fine of from 500 to 81 900. or impris
oHheht In the penitentiary for not less
NAN one year nor more than five is TO be
unused upon person who shall falsely
MAKE any certificate of nomination or will
-unS uestfoy the same, or nomination pa
pers' or any letter of withdrawal, or file
any false certificate of nomination or sun
PRES I any such certificate or falsely make
...g oiilclai Endorsement on any ballot. or
suoSulute spurious ballots for the gen
~ ohes' or circulate any paper printed
IN Imitation of the ballot.
Auy pubic officer upon whom a duty IS
rmiLpsed by this act, who shall wilfully
Ieslect TO perform such duty or who him
u t, me object of the act, shall be pun
r rnIisu by tne Of from IS to 1000 or i'm
rs. S3ninent IN the peni entiary for not less
IN ,r one nor more than five years
me lue secretary of State is required to
3ia ms law published in two paper of
ar ,,''-. nt political parties, and where there
est W. NJ p1pefs In the county in the near
~ papers once week for four weslxs i'm
"0dlalely after the passage of this act.