The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-04-09
VOTING MACHINES
MIGHT ASSIST To
BEAT THE MACHINE

The act authorizing cities and towns 10
use voting machines. IL they so elect APP
proved by the state returning board. is
due for consideration in tho lower branch
OF the general assembly tomorrow.
IL is held by some that that use might
successfully enable the voters TO beat "the
machine"
Ii is rather lengthy document, and the
main features OF the requirements that
must be met by any machine adopted are
as follows:
1t must permit a voter to vote IN abso-
lutte secrecy for all the candidates for
whom he is entitled 20 vote. and for or
against all questions upon which he is
entitled to vote.
1t must provide one such device for each
candidate and also party devices whereby
a voter may vote for all the candidates
OF any party by one operation. and such
party devices must be capable OF being
locked out OF operation without interfer-
ing with the voting for candidates indi-
vidually.
It must permit voter to vote for can
dldates Tor electors OF president and vice.
president OF the United States individu-
aliN. or by means of "A single device 10
vote for the entire group OF such cand-
dates nominated by any party
IL must provide a means whereby a
voter can vote for any person for any
Office. although such person may not be
candidate for such office.
10 must be so constructed that a voter
cannot vote twice for any one candidate
FOR the same office. and cannot vote for
more than one person for the same Office.
except where voter is lawfully entitled
To so vote, and cannot vote for more per-
sons than he is entitled 10 vote for.
IL must be so constructed that a voter
can change his vote for any OF the can
didates on any OF the voting devices up TO
the time he is ready TO register his vote.
IL must be capable OF being used for
state and town elections at the same time.
IL must be fitted with face plate, TO
which each device can be affixed and ac-
curately labelled so as 60 show clearly
and distinctly the office. the name and adj
dress OF the candidate, and the party
which such device represents: and In the
case OF each party device, SO that such
Vided by law.
Such face plate shall be so constructed
as 10 permit or the arrangement OF each
device aid its label I'm perpendicular party
columns or parallel party rows. and must
be ample i'm size 10 accommodate te at least
seven different party columns or rows and
at least seven different questions.
IL must correctly register the number
or voters by whom IL is used. and every
vote cast for each candidate, and upon
each question. and II must be capable Of
being SO closed during the time the polls
are open that no person can see or know
the number OF votes registered for any
Cdnuluhte. person or question.
1t must be provided with lock or
locks. by means OF which the operation
of the devices and the movement OF the
voting, counting and registering mechan-
ism may be absolutely prevented and
prohibited. whenever such prevention and
prohibition is required by law.
The machines are TO be purchased
whenever an appropriation shall be made
for that purpose by the general assem-
!, q
bids for furnishing machines of an ap-
proved type The latter. in his discretion.
supplies the machines to amy town or city
making requisition therefor one month
before election.
The town may likewise discontinue the
use of machines at any time
Towns and cities so desiring may pur-
chase or lease machines from the state.
but such machines must be examined
by the secretary OF state before each
election, TO ascertain il they comply with
the law
Three days before election the secre-
tary OF state or town clerk is required
to prepare a diagram OF the face plate
of tho machine. showing the manner and
order In which the devices and labels
shall be arranged conforming as nearly
as possible with the law requiring the
arrangement OF candidates I'm party col
uHlilSs eACtpl lndl Nnefe possible the can
didates shall be arranged I'm parallel rows
running horizontally across the face plate
Sample ballots are also provided for. I'm
the form OF a fac-simile OF the face plate.
on which the manner or voting must be
clearly explained and illustrated
The bill provides for party watchers TO
be appointed in the same manner that
supervisors are appointed. one OF each
party for each polling place. His duties
are TO inspect the machines when they
are being set up. locked and sealed by
the election officials.
No voter shall remain within a machine
longer than a minute. and IL he refuse 20
leave then he may be removed.
The bill contains minute and specific
provisions for preparing tho machines for
en- election. their delivery at the polling
places. the manner OF opening the polls
the recording OF the vote at the close Of
the polls. as indicated by the counters
and the forwarding of election returns.
The penalty for an attempt on the part
Of election officials or anyone else TO de-
feat the purpose OF an election by tam
pering with the machines or seeking TO
falsify the returns, Is imprisonment for