Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-02-06
THE PRIMARY ELECTION BILL.

bill, which seeks to abolish party caucus
es and nominating cow entions, in COM
pliance with both republican and demo
cratic state convention of last year and
two years ago, was introduced in the
legislature week ago. There are some
minor features of the measure which
will doubtless be changed before it is
enacted into law. There is little to
criticise in the b-1 by those who believe
in the system, while those who oppose
the reform will find mountain of in
surmountable defects. In fact, such
are expected to find no good in the sys-
TEN or the bill as presented
The system appeals strongly to the
finer senses of all who believe in repre-
sentative government. Byits workings
every elector will have the privilege of
expressing lis choice direct for every
candidate whom he desires to have
placed on his party ticket. Under
the present system he delegates that
power to limited few, who not lcfre
quently misrepresent him and the SEMI
ment of his community and his party,
For instance, in our own county, dele
gates almost without exception, are
chosen with special reference to the
canvass for nomination forsheritf. The
new plan provides every voter with
every facility for individual choice for
every office to beflled Following is
a synopsis of the primary bill
The primary election law comprises
80 sections Sections / and repeal all
existing statutes regulating caucuses
and conventions, but it is specifically
provided that it shall not apply to judi
cial village, township, school district
and special election TO fill vacancies.
Section three provides that primary
elections shall be held for all general
elections on the first Tuesday in Septem-
Der and for all other elections regulated
by the act three weeks in advance of
such elections
Section four relates to the designation
by the secretary of state of officers to
be voted for and the publication thereof
by local officers.
Section 5 determines the time for
filing nomination papers; requires that
such papers OF candidates for state
oft rs shall be signed by electors
in at least twelve counties of candidates
for congress by electors in at least one
fifth of the precincts Of one half the
counties of the districts of candidates
for senate and assembly, city and county
offices by electors in at least one-fifth of
the election precincts of the district.
city or county, and shall be signed by
two percent Of the voters of the party
represented The basis for estimating
this percentage is the largest vote for
an elector at the preceding presidential
election. Provision Is mSstie f. an Off
elai ballot for any party represented on
the official ballot on the preceding gen
eral election by individual nomination
which cast one percent of the total vote
of the state.
Section . requires separate nomination
papers TO be circulated in each precinct
where used and an affidavit attached of
an elector Of personal acquaintance with
the signers and knowledge thai tAsir
statements Of residence and occupation
are correct.
Sections T. $, o. 10, II. 12 and 10. re-
late to ming nomination papers, making
ana publishing notices of primary elect
Ions the printing and distribution of
ballots, and provides that each party
shah nave separate ballot.
Section II provides that all provisions
OF ohap. 0, statutes of 1893 and amend
mehts thereto, are made applicable to
primary elections, unless otherwise pro-
ylded- In cities the primary election
uay snail De from six o'clock in the
morning until nine o'clock at night. In
All otner precincts the polls shall be
openea at eight o'clock in the morning
and close at six in the evening.
Section Is makes primary election
day day for registration and prohihits
any registration after that day except
py personal appearance of voters before
the inspectors Registration ia NOT re-
quired in any election precinc. where
the existing law does not demand il.
The pay of inspectors and clerks il linn.
lted to three dollars per day.
Sections i6, II, rs, 10. 90. 81. % and
~ relate to challenges, form of affidavit,
returns OF inspectors of election and
canvass of votes 1t is provided that the
county committees of the state shall
meet at the state capitol one week after
eacn primary election and canvass the
votes Tor state officers and congressman
They shall also at this time canvass the
votes of senate and assembly districts
winch cover more than one county.
Section "a makes the chairmen of the
county committees constitute the state
central committees of the various parties
and provides for the organization of all
other political committees. In the state
central commis tee each county hartman
Is entitled TO one vote for each 100 votes
cast by his party at the preceding ma.
tlonal election and in city, county. and
legislative committees each precinct
chairman has one vote for each twenty.
election.
Section 25 provides for filing vacan-
Giles In the positions of precinct and
county chairmen
Section 90 provides that county chair
men at their meeting TO canvass votes
in the years of presidential elections are
authorized and directed TO choose by
ballot the electors of their party for
president and vice president.
Section e provides that candidates
4or state officers and for senate and as
sembly at j time specified are empower
ed to adopt party platforms A roll call
and majority vote is required
Section 2S provides that the nominee
and congressional committee of each
district make the congressional district
platform.
Section 90 provides that upon the first
Tuesday in April. town meeting day,
4l,n 10 x,bfnh ,,raasdap% -