Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-04-05
The New Suffrage Plan.

voter must be male, 81 years old or
over, a resident of the State for at
least two years, of the county or city
at least one year, and OF the precinct
for thirty days prior to the election
in which he offers to vote. These are
general qualifications.
Operative after January l, 1904, Is
poll-tax prerequisite to suffrage.
After that date the applicant for SUI
frage must have paid his poll-tax
for the year or years next preceding,
not exceeding three. Persons other
wise. qualified to vote who nave
served in the army or navy OF VIZ,
ginia, the Confederacy or the United
States. shall not be excluded from
voting for non-payment OF this poii
tax.
TO provide for the electorate prior
TO January /, 1904, there is to be a
general registration Of voters in the
wear 1902, and another six months
later. Any person who offers TO regis
ter shall be:
First. one who has served in army
or navy; second, the son OF person
so serving in army or navy; or hlro,
a person who has paid to the State
taxes for a year preceding, amounting
to not less than one dollar on prop
erty owned by him; or, fourth, one
who can read any section OF the Con
stitution submitted to him, and give
a reasonable explanation OF same;or,
if he cannot read, he must be able to
understand when read to him such
section, and. if required, give
reasonable explanation OF same.
Any person registered under any
of the provisions just enumerated
shall remain permanently enrolled
as voter, unless, disqualified by
,rime or insanity, etc. Any person
denied registration under the provis-
ions enumerated shall have the right
to appeal to the Circuit or Corpora
ton Court.
After January 1, 1904, any person
otherwise qualified to vote as pro-
vided, and not previously registered,
must, as a condition precedent to
registration, have paid all poll taxes,
assessed or assessable against him
for the three years next preceding;
or, if newly become Of age, he must
pay to the city or county treasurer
81 so in lieu OF the first years poll
tax, and shall make application IN
his own handwriting, stating age,
residence, parents names, length OF
residence in State, date and place OF
birth, and place OF his former resi-
dence for the two years preceding.
This must be done without aid un-
less he is physically disabled. He
shall further be required to answer,
under oath, any pertinent question
relating to his qualification that the
registration officer may PROFOUND.
Every person registered under
these provisions must, unless blind
or physically disabled, prepare and
deposit his own ballot. Exception:
ANY person registered prior TO Janu-
ary /, 1904, may be aided in the pre-
paration of his ballot. Such q regis
tration as provided for above shall
be had at least once in every year.
Section summarizes the lists o.
those excluded from voting, such al
idiots, criminals convicted In this o.
other States.
Section provides safeguards
against participation in elections 10y
temporary residents.
Section 6 provides that all popular
elections shall be by ballot. and fol
the method of counting and canvass
ing ballots so cast.
Section 2 provides for uniform
secret ballot, without mark or sym
boil.
Section protects citizens agains
compulsory military service or pub
lie occupation that may deprive hin
of his opportunity to vote.
Section 9 provides for registration
of minors who become Of age befor'
election.
Section 10 provides for the imposi
ton of an additional property quail
fication on suffrage by counties IL
elections for county officers only,an'
on the initiative of the people
through their representative in tn
General Assembly. No county nee'
adopt the provision unless desired.
Section II provides for appoint
ment by the Circuit and Corporation
Courts of the Electoral Boards, whlcf
in turn appoint the election officer
and fix the qualification OF sucl
judges, clerks and registrars. Per
sons holding office of profit or trus
are forbidden to act as election OH
GERS
Section 10 provides the method o
appeal in registration cases.
Section Is makes any quallne'
voter eligible to Office, except a
otherwise provided.
Section IA authorizes provisions D.
law for fair and orderly elections.
Section Is requires voters in legal
lied primaries to be qualified to vot
at the next general election.
Section IS provides for regularlt
and purity OF primary and genera
elections, and the prevention @
punishment of corrupt practices.
Section II provides for the keep1n
and posting, prior to elections,
certified lists of those who have pa
the poll tax These lists are to
made off for each magisterial distr
and posted in each, and certb il
copies Of such lists furnished to Il
State Auditor.-Richmond Di
patch