The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-21
MARYLAND ELECTION LAW
Features of the Bill Just Passed by
the Legislature.

The Ballots 10 Contain Nc Party En-
bIems. and No Assistance Afforded
to Voters - TaE-E[ coping System
apOIished-NO New Registration.
ANNAPOLIS. Md. March 2l.-The EIec-
ton bill just passed by the Maryland Leg
isIature Is the chief topic of interest
among politicians here today The May
election in Baltimore will Zee held under
it. and its practical effect and working
viii be tested on more limited scale at
the April election in Frederick City, Tor
which a local act similar to the general
law has also been provided at this ses-
sion Two election bills of Identical
character We're introduced in each house
at the beginning of the extra session, but
the House bill was that which finally
passed both branches yesterday, and
which viii receive the Governors sigma
ture. The Senate bill. which passed that
body last week and which has been I'M
der discussion III the House this week.
will now be dropped. being rendered I'M
necessary by the passage of the House
bill.
The House bill has been changed in
some particulars from its original form
by amendments made 70 It by the Demo-
sentiaI features remain unaltered- II is
based on the principle of the Massachus-
ettts ballot law and is designed to cor
rect illiteracy and 10 guard the secrecy
Of the ballot
The leading features are the abolition
of party emblems on the ticket and the
prohibition OF assistance to voters IN
marking their ballots These changes in
the law viii involve only the most ele-
mentary education on the part OF voters
and viii affect only those who cannot
read. In this way II is expected to form
an educational stimulus and to cause lit
erauure voters as a matter OF pride TO
overcome their disabilities by acquiring
the rudiments of education In prohibit
ing assistance TO voters in marking their
ballots II is hoped 10 lessen very consid-
erably the evil of bribery, which IS said
10 have been easy under the law which
the present bill supersedes. When the We
nal voter could be accompanied into the
booth by the election clerk and his ballot
marked for him the briber could be sure
that the vote was cast according TO con-
tract and the bribed had a witness who
could certify that he was entitled 10 his
money. In the same way the voter de-
pendent upon the favor OF employers and
compelled 10 vote contrary TO his cOnyic-
Under the bill just passed this system
Of keeping tag on the voter is abolished.
The bin provides that no assistance shall
be given to voters except those who are
blind or physically disabled from marking
their ballots. To these excepted persons
the only assistance TO be given is by one
election clerk in the presence OF the other
election clerk IN marking the ballot ac-
cording TO the direction of the voter. but
without reading the ballot TO him or with
out making any suggestion or prompting
In order TO obtain this assistance the
voter must make affidavit 10 his diSabil-
ity, and even then the ballot is not 10 be
marked for him until the affidavit is de
cided 10 be sufficient by ajOrity Of the
judges of election
The omission Of party embleIrs on the
baICt viii require a careful inspection of
the ticket by voters The names of an
didaIes VIII be arranged on the ballot in
alpha betlcal order according to The INST
letter of the surname Of the candidates
party 10 which they belong \ cross mark
must be made after the naru@ II each
candidate voted Tor. thus putting an eI.d
70 the voting or an entire group, as here
tOfOTe. BY II &kiug q cross mark TT the
top OF the column opposite the party
emblem An exception to this is that
candidates for Presidential electors are
arranged IN groups under the names Of
the Presidential candidates and one ma Ls
In the square opposite the name OF the
Presidential candidates shall be vote for
the whole group
Another salient feature Of the new bill
IS the requirement with regard TO the re
tention Of a voting residence II the State
DE those who Tor business OF ether rea-
sons. are out If the State most Of III.
time This - intended to prevent HISS
who are prdc- ICahy nOn-rCsl.frqIS rom
continuing = help to administer 5llibiie
affairs Il = State in which they do not
really live
The bail provides that no new regisr-a-
ton sha's Be Eecessitated by its passage.