Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-03-07
Practical
=. Politics
= :. By. 5 49,;
WILLIAM H. H1NR1cHsEN

49, u
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
N.-Election Day.
~ ACH state has it's own election
law, and no two are exactly
~ alike. In some states the laws
are not the same in all "coun-
ties, and in others different regulation
are in force in large cities from those
which apply in the rural communities.
It is therefore somewhat difficult to
outline plan of work for election day
that will fit exactly in each locality,
but the one suggested may easily be
modified to meet the conditions, exist
Ing in any place.
Detail Of Work.
The precinct committee should be on
the ground at least fifteen minutes be-
fore the time fixed for the opening of
the polls. When it is possible, a head
quarters should be provided as near the
polls as the law and conditions will
permit. In a town a vacant room can
generally be obtained, and a temporary
house or a tent is sometimes used. A
suitable banner or sign Of some kind
should be provided for the headquar-
tiers, and if the weather is cool the
room should be heated and provided
with the necessary furniture.
The student should see how many
Of his working force are present, and
all gaps should be filled. He should
know that all the election officers are
at their posts and that his challengers
or watchers are in their places.
In the headquarters should be sta
toned two clerks with duplicate polls
Of the precinct before them, and a no
tary should also be present if practical
BILE.
AS the votes are cast the challengers
or watchers should take them down on
slips of paper, which should be sent
by messengers to the clerks every half
hour or oftener, if the voting is fast.
The names should be checked on the
poll books by the clerks as fast as re-
ceived.
Getting Out the Vote.
The workers assigned to the duty
of bringing to the polls the sick, the
feeble, the old and the Indifferent
should begin the work Immediately,
while the other workers should be on
the ground to greet their friends,
watch for frauds, furnish information
or perform any work assigned to them.
In the meantime each should check
from the list Of names Of persons in
trusted to: him all of those who have
voted getting his information from the
clerks poll books at headquarters.
The student should watch everything
and see that every man is in his place.
He should be careful to keep his TEN
per and should listen to all suggestions,
using his judgment, and decide points
promptly.
When the day is half over, it is time
to begin to >send for all voters who
have not yet appeared, and the worker
charged with this should 60 after them
in vehicles provided for the purpose.
| This should he continued until every
name on his list is checked, and if he,
for any reason, fails to bring in one
of his charges he should report the
fact, with reasons. The student should
take measures to bring the voter in
and should not cease his efforts till he
succeeds or the poll closes.
If the work of the committee has
been we'll done,' very few converts will
be made on election day. Still this is
matter not to be neglected. Members
Of the other party, as fast as they ap-
pear, should be interviewed by persons
most likely to influence them, and even
though nothing is accomplished no
harm is done. A vote for portion
Of the ticket is frequently obtained in
this manner. and that Is, of course, Just
that much gain. -. - $780, r
Looking After Doubtful Voters.
Particular attention must be given to
doubtful voters, and each one secured
Is a subject for rejoicing. 7~~*s..'...
The first object is to poll all your
own party vote, the second to secure
all Of the doubtful voters possible and
the third to secure what you can from
the opposition. :, :. - : n.
As the day passes the student should