Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-10-12
GRANTS PASS CITY
ELECTION LAWS
Deputy City Attorney Blan chard
Points Out Way by Which Both
Laws May Be Observed.

thC Olohto 4 ooo WY tAONhaOho a.
years past have been source Of con-
siderable confusion in regard to the
laws and what law shall be followed.
This year we again have the difference
Of opinion as to the law to be fol-
lowed. some holding that we should
nominate by convention, as provided
by the present city charter, while
others hold TO the opinion that under
the existing laws the primary election
law must be followed, there is, how
ever, a way out of the difficulty as
pointed out by Deputy City Attorney
Blanchard in q lengthy opinion handed
to the city council at a. recent meeting,
reference to which was made in the
Courier of last week.
We give below the substance Of the
important points:
Section 8 Of the state primary act
provides that the nomination of can
didates for municipal offices by the
political parties subject to the pro-
visions of this law shall be governed
by this law in all incorporated towns
and cities Of this state having a popu-
lation Of 1000 and upwards, as shown
by the last preceding national or state
census This law affects political
parties only. and that there are only
two political parties coming within
the purview of the direct primary act
these are the republican and demo-
cratic parties, 80 that IL is necessary
to give an opportunity to members of
these two political parties to nomi-
nate candidates for city offices under
this act However, Mr.. Blanchard
says; 1T is apparent without saying
that if after the auditor and police
judge have taken all preliminary
steps, such as posting notices of elect
ion. ETC., and has thereby complied
fully with the requirements of the
state primary law up to the time
when petitions for nomination can no
longer be filed and none has been filed
with him, and there can be no candi-
dates of either political party seeking
then, of course. an elect.
ion could not be held under this act
aud would be an absurdity." So
that IL no petitions have been filed by
under this act, the quest
ion arises as to whether or not oandi-
dates can be nominated by any other
method. A law would be unconsti.
iutional that did not give to indie.
pendent candidates or persons nomi-
mated by an afiiliation of voters. not
Of the dignity Of political party,
The right TO have their names placed
npon the ballots. The state primary
'ct does not regulate this procedure,
and therefore if no petitions are filed
lnder the state act in this city we
must be governed by the provisions of
our local charter so far as the nomi.
nation Of other candidates is con.
Registration books have already
been opened for proceeding rnder the
state act, but that it is hoped by the
'ity officials that candidates will not
be thus nominated. II one person
should file petition it would put the
,ity to big expense in holding an
election. FOR undoubtedly candidates
will be nominated by the old method
set out in the charter. even il an
election is held under the state act.
The city attorney at some length dis.
,usses the method by which percent.
.ges for petitions shall be regulated.
The difficulty IN this respect has
arisen over the fact that four city
wards are embraced within three
,ounty precincts. This has not been
i seems from the report Of the city
attorney, due to any fault of the city
officials. ON the other hand it seems
10 have been caused by the neg lect Of
he county court, and he calls atten.
ion to Sec. 276a B. s G. Code, which