Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-11-21
A Question of Vital Importance
to Voters


to Voters
Soon after the election Tn,
Richmond Tlmes-Dispatch directed
attention to complications likely tt
arise through errors in the list oil
: voters who have paid their pol
taxes, according to the require
ments of the Constitution, which
list is required to be made up by
the treasurer, and a copy furnished
to the election judges.
The Attorney General, in reply
to an inquiry from Messrs. John P.
Leary and Joseph c. Taylor, judges
of election in Richmond, has Civ
EN- an opinion, which 10 of vital i'm
portance to voters.
First of all, he points out that
it is the duty of each county and
city treasurer, at least five months
before each regular election, to file
with the clerk of the Circuit Court
of bis county, or Corporation Court
of his city, as the case may be,
list of all persons in his county or
city who have, not later than six
months PRIOR to such election, paid
the State poll taxes required by
the Constitution. during the three
years next preceding that in which
such election is held; that this
must be single list, and not three
separate lists, and that the clerk
must provide judges of election
with copy of such single list for
their guidance.
1t is to be hoped that clerks will
be careful to comply with this pro
vision to the letter, as it is very
inconvenient for judges to have to
deal with three separate lists when
the names can be printed on one
list.
1t is further required by law
that within ten days after receipt
by the clerk copy of every such
list for every voting precinct shall
be delivered by him to the sheriff
Of the county, or the sergeant of
the city, whose duty it shall be to
post the list at every such voting
precinct, that voters may have an
opportunity to examine it.
Within thirty days after such
list has been posted any person
who shall have paid his capltation
AK, but whose name is omitted,
nay, after five days written no.
ice to TIE treasurer, apply to the
Circuit Court of his county, or
Corporation Court of his city, or to
he judge thereof in vacation, to
lave the same corrected and his
lame entered thereon, which appli
ation the judge shall promptly
lear and decide.
1t is important that every voter
hall inspect the list as sooh as it :
8 posted to ascertain whether or .
ot 1t contains his name, for the y
General says that y
"No person who is required to y
ay poll taxes as prerequisite to =
ote can be allowed to vote in any
lection unless his name is upon :,
aid authentic list, as furnished by :
be treasurer and certified by the :,
Jerk" "
He cannot vote, even by exhibit g
ng his tax receipts to the judge T
n election day, unless his name Is =
n the list. There is only one ex- =,
option. In cases where voter has =,
zen transferred from one city or - >,
'unty to another, he may vote up y
, exhibiting to the judges GER -,
ficate from the treasurer that his e
oil taxes have been paid accord !,
e to law; and the treasurer is :,
quired by law to give such GER -
ficate if the taxes have been 8.
aid. !.
All registered voters should take -
lie note of the above, and govern 20
emselves accordingly. If,through f.
cir own neglect, their names are ~
It properly listed, they needn't 90 80
axe an issue with the judges of g.
ection, for the judges have no no
secretion. They must go strictly 70
: the list. 70