Arizona republican., 1905-03-26
PHOENIX, ARIz.. MARCH 2s. 1905.
The New Primary Election Law.

false starts toward a reformation of the election laws that the public may have overlooked the fact that a pri- mary election law was finally enacted. While somewhat crudely phrased, the new act contains some important pro- visions. An opportunity to test its eff fieiency will be found shortly, in the Phoenix city election.
 The new law throws it's protecting wings over both primary elections and nominating conventions. The prima- ries of all parties for the nomination of candidates must be held "on the same day and at the same time and in the same room," but there is to be a sep arate election board for each political party. The nominating conventions also are to be held on a same day.
 For city elections the city council designates the date and place for hold ing the primaries. and for county and territorial elections the board of super visors performs that function.
 In the matter of the forthcoming city election for Phoenix. for instance, it is the duty of the city council to fix a day for the primaries mot more than sixty days nor less than thirty days next preceding the city election. It is also provided that public not ice of the time and place of holding primary elections shall be given for at least thirty days next preceding the holding of the said cleo ton" If the council is to give thirty days notice of the primaries, and the primaries are to be held at least thir- ty days before the city election. it is up to the council to solve the prob lem of squeezing in sixty days between now and the May election.
 The nominating conventions to fol- low the primaries must be held mot more than forty days nor less than twenty days next preceding the hold ing of the election for which candidates are to be nominated"
 Although the apportionment of del- egates is to be made by the board of supervisors or by the city council, ac- cording to whether 1t Is to be county or a city election. such apportionment is to be according to the rules Of apportionment of each political party" as ascertained from the central com mittees.
 The new law strikes at the great industry of buying the floating voter" and citizens who have earned an hon. est dollar by voting at each primary election of each party will find their revenues curtailed. The qualifications of a voter at a primary election under this act are thus set forth:
 First, that he is a qualified voter Of the city, ward or precinct as provided by the general election laws of this territory.
 Second. that he is a member in good standing of the political party hold ing said primary election. and that he expects to support the regular ticket of the political party holding said pri- mary. at the next general or special election
 The political affiliations and inten- tions of the voter may be established by putting him on his oath, through a challenge. His vote Is to be rejected If 1t is shown that he is not a quail fled elector, that he has voted before on that day, or that he is mot mem- Der of the political party holding such primary election, or that he does not expect to support his regular ticket at the next special or general election"
 It will be wise hereafter for the cit izen to refrain from gloating over the fact that he was responsible for downing an obnoxious candidate of his party at the last election; other wise, it seems clear, he is open to a charge that he is not a member" of the party to which he claims ale glance. Likewise, 1t will be wise for the voter to keep to himself an in tention of indulging in the scratching privilege at the ensuing election. In other words, the law Is evidently in- tended to put a premium on "regu- larity." As political enmities between members of the same party are the most bitter of all, the law opens a wide door for the exploitation of such en- mites. Any citizen may be annoyed immeasurably by the challenge of an enemy In such case he must submit to questioning under oath, or lose his vote at the primaries
 Another interesting feature of the law lies in the fact that it's enforcement will simplify political campaigns. The poll lists of the primary election will show accurately the political status of every citizen voting thereat. The exact strength of the respective parties will be shown absolutely, and the only