The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-03-13
PERSONAL REGISTRATION.

The Joint Committee for the Pro-
motion of Electoral Reforms in
Pennsylvania, of which Clinton
Rogers Woodruff, of the Municipal
League, is chairman, has prepared
draft of Personal Registratior
bill which will be presented to the
next Legislature for adoption. The
Z" Joint Committee represents the
Municipal League of Philadelphia,
the Pennsylvania Ballot Reform
Association and the Civil Service
Reform Association of Pennsyl
vania. Under the provisions OF the
Joint Committee, personal registra-
ton is made to apply to cities Of
the first, second and third class.
By the proposed act the Court of
Quarter Sessions in each county
affected shall direct the County
Commissioners to divide the wards
of the respective cities into regis
tration districts of compact conti-
guous territory, to contain not
more than $500 voters. The court
is to have power to arrange such
boundaries, and shall on the first
Saturday of each August appoint
three registrars, not all of the same
political parties, residents of the
city tor five years preceding. Each
registration board may appoint two
clerks, having the same qualifca-
tions, the compensation of all to be
fixed by the court.
The registrars for each district
are to meet at such places as may
be fixed by the court, on the Oath,
62d, 29th, 27th and 18TH days pre-
ceding the general election, and the
29th, 27th and I7th days preceding
the municipal election, and remain
in open session from 10 A. NJ. to 6
P. M. and from 7.3o to 10 P. NJ,
to hear and determine the claims of
persons claiming to be entitled to
vote at the approaching election.
Every claim for registration must
be made in person and under oath,
The claimant is required to give,
full and explicit information as to
his residence and other legal quail
fications, such as payment of taxes
and naturalization. If he is not
known to the registrars, or if they
are not satisfied as to his right to be
registered. he must produce a quail
fed elector who can make the re-
quired affidavits to establish his
right.
If the majority of the registrars
are of opinion that the claimant is
entitled to vote in that election dis
trict at the next election, his name
shall be Immediately placed on the
register Of voters for the election
district wherein he lives, which
said registry shall state sufficient
information to lead to the identih-
cation of the registered voters.
There shall also be provided a
column at the end of the line where
the voter, if challenged and able to
write, shall sign his name on cleo
ton day before receiving his ballot.
Two of the lists, including the
one containing the signatures of
electors, shall be filed in the Office
of the clerk of the Court of Quarter
Sessions for the respective counties
until they are required for use at
the polls, when they shall be placed
in the hands of the election officers
for that purpose. OF the two lists
so filed the one not containing the
signatures of electors shall be kept
open for public inspection during
Office hours. The third registry
list shall be exhibited at the place
of registration in the registry dis
trict until the day ofelection. After
the day Of election two of the lists,