The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-02

dunilDr, not less fnan eleven GAYS DefOfe
the election. an affidavit Of his inten-
tion. This affidavit must be supported
by petition signed by at least per
cent Of the voting strength at the last
election Of the political party to which
he belongs. The application for place on
the primary tickets must nc accompanied
by fee of $40.
At the close OF the period for receiving
these applications separate tickets of the
same size and shape are prepared for
each party. The ballot to be placed in
the hands Of the voter is prepared bv
takinR one Of zach Of the individual party
ballots and pinnlng all together.
The primary election is held on Tues
day, seven weeks before the day of cleo
ton. The Minnesota voters register on
certain stated DAYS and the primary cleo.
ton takes the place Of the first day ~
voter assists in The choice Of his parry
nominees he goes through The formula re-
essary to qualify himself to cast ballot
at the general election.
The primary election IS conducted with
the usual judges. clerks, booths. ballot
boxes and all OF the other regular election
machinery. when a voter appears his cleo
then given one Of the compound ballots
This ballot he takes TO the booth. marks
his choice upon the ticket Of his party
and then returns II to the judges. leaving
the tickets still pinned together. The
ballots are counted and the returns cam
yassed In the usual way. The successful
candidates are notified Of their nomina-
ton and the work of the primary election
Is over.
Under the Minnesota law the system
applies TO only city and county elections.
In the case Of Minneapolis II also covers
the congressional nominations. as the city
Is itself a congressional district. Dele
gates to the state convention are named
IN the. usual way. The advocates OF the
law claim, however, that its merits are
so great that IL Is only a matter Of a
short time when II will he made to in
clude state elections. All the cities OF
even the country districts. where its oper-
alton would be under greater difficulties,
are raising a similar demand. II is pos.
sible that this general movement will
OF the law for state application.
That better idea may be had OF
the system proposed for adoption by this
state, the Minnesota law is reprinted.
Some unimportant sections. such as those
relating to the ruling OF ballots and SINH
lar details are omitted, but every part
that will In any way help TO elucidate the
workings OF the law Is given in full.
Text of Minnesota Act.
The following Is the law passed by the
Minnesota legislature of 1899 providing
for the selection OF candidates for cleo
ton by popular vote. in counties of 10000
Inhabitants or more"
Section l. On Tuesday, seven weeks
preceding any election Except special cleo
tions) at which officers of and for any
county or city In this state are to be
In the several election districts Of said
county or city. In accordance with this
act, which shall be known as the pri-
mary election, for the purpose of choos--
ing candidates for all elective county and
city officers, Judges. elective members Of
school 0oards, park boar4s, library boards
and all other officers which are to be
chosen wholly by electors within and Of
"a I'll mr. nj "a tttftr al
tion, and said primary election day shall
be and constitute the first day OF the
registration OF electors for the next en-
suing election In all election districts OF
counties which are subje-t to the pro-
visions Of this act. and shall be In lieu
Of the first day now provided by law for
the registration OF electors In such dis
tricts: but nothing herein shall be con-
strued to AFFECT the date OF the second or
subsequent registration days now pro-
vided by law. This act shall apply only
after have a population of 100000 inhabi-
tants or more, and shall apply only to
such. officers as are halioted for solely
within the confines OF one such county.
For all other official position within the
gift OF the people by ballot such other pro-
visions as are provided by law shall APP
ply.
Political Parties.
Sec A political party within the
meaning of this act is one which shall
have cast Mt least 10 per cent. OF the
total vote cast at the last preceding cleo
tion for its leading candidate. or shall
present to the county auditor petition
asking for the right to have a primary
election ticket as hereinafter provided for,
such petition TO contain at least 10 per
cent. OF the qualified electors OF the coun-
~ in which the privilege Is asked. Nom
nations OF candidates for said offices shall
be made by such political parties in ac-
cordance with the provisions OF this act
and not otherwise; provided, that moth
IA "a hA ttol
TO prevent the nomination OF candidates
for such offices by any groups, individuals
or so-called political parties which are not
recognized political parties In accordance
with this section, by petition In accord
ance with chapter OF the general election
laws OF Minnesota for 1893, which act shall
be herein referred 10 as the general cleo
tlon law.
Election Districts.
Sec B. The election districts for the
purposes OF this act shall be the districts
which shall be liked and determined ac-
eording TO law for the purposes Of the
election next following the primary cleo
tinn, and IL shall be the duty OF the city
council, the supervisors OF the towns or
other officers required by said general
election law To divide the territory over
which they have Jurisdiction into various
election districts to make such divisi0n
at least two weeks prior TO the holding OF
said primary election.
required by said general election law TO
be made and posted. shall be made and
posted at least one week preceding said
primary election, and copies OF such map
or description shall be furnished 10 the
judges of primary election IN each dis
trlct.
Candidates.
Sec. 4 AZ least eleven days before
the primary election day any person who
shall be eligible TO an once which he
seeks shall appear before the county au-
ditor With an affidavit 20 the effect that
is Is bona fde his intention 20 run for
the nomination for any specified office
ard ha shall then and there present d pc
utian which shall contain az least s per
cent. ~ the total vote cast for the cam
eldats Of the party with which he AZ
rliates, for the same position. at the last
Scneral election. each name on the peti.
ueh q bs thar OF qualified elcctot. and
upon pay ment Of $40 70 tho county
auditor. receipt for which shall be given
him, the county auditor shall place his
name upon the primary election ballot OF
bis PARTY. as hereinafter provided
The ccunty auditor shall number each
petition iu numerical order az received
such Zee q Sl9 ga case ~ candidate for
= CITY 0fhce shall be immediately paid
Into the cttF treasury by the auditor ana