The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-02-01
COUNCIL TO DECIDE
Secretary Of State Notifies the
County Clerk in Regard to
Registration Of Voters
COMES BEFORE Urinary VOTE

ceived from w. L. Houser, secretary
Of state, lengthy communication in
regard to the registration Of voters
for the coming judicial and city cleo
tons, aud if such registration is held
| it must be ordered by the common
council of the city at its next meet
ling.
The cost Of this registration Of
voters in Kenosha would be between
$500 and $500 and it is thought very
| probable that the council will deem
such an expenditure unnecessary. In
regard to the matter the opinion Of
the state official is in part as follows:
| Considerable question having
arisen in regard to registration for
the coming spring primary and cleo
ton, | write you in explanation of
the provisions of the general and
primary election laws on the subject
Of registration, as they affect the
coming election.
The question has arisen whether a
city which declared by ordinance to
have no registration at the General
Election Of 1904, will need registra-
ton at the spring election of 1906.
"Section %, as it appears in the
statutes of 1893, provides that In
each year, when a general election
is required by law to be held, a regis
tration of electors shall be made in
each ward or election district of
every city, and in each ward or cleo
ton district of every incorporated
village, which city or village, at the
last previous census, had a population
of 1000 OF more, and in every town
having population of 5000 or more,
according to such census.
Section "a of the statutes of 1893
provides that "The preceding section
shall apply to the annual municipal
and judicial elections in all cities,
villages 'and towns specified therein,
un1essIthe common council of such
city, the board Of trustees of such vii
1age, or the board of supervisors of
such town shall, by ordinance or
resolution, otherwise declare or pro-
vide; and no such ordinance or reso-
luton shall apply to any such cleo
ton to- be held within 80 days after
the adoption Of the same by such COM
mon council, trustee or supervisor.
This leaves it to the discretion Of the
common council, the board of trustees
or the board of supervisors as to
whether registration shall be re-
quired at municipal and judicial cleo
tons.
The legislature of 1908, by chapter
420, amended section % of The statutes
of 1898 by adding thereto a provision
leaving it to the discretion of the
common council or board of trustees
in cities or villages having a popu1a-
ton Of more than 1000 and less than
5000, as to whether registration shall
be required at the general election in
such cities. The question now arises
as to whether the action Of the COM
mon council or board of trustees de-
claring that registration shall not be
required for the general election af-
fects the conduct of the following
municipal and judicial elections held
in such city or village, whether under
those circumstances, registration
shall be required at such municipal
and judicial elections.
1T is my opinion that such action,
taken by the common council or board
of trustees, with respect to the gener-
al election, affects only the general
election for that year, and unless
action is taken by the common coun-
Gil or board of trustees with respect
to the municipal or judicial elections,
registration will be required for such
municipal or judicial election.
"Under the above inter probation of
the registration law, such registration
will be necessary, unless the common
council declare otherwise, provided
such action is taken not later than 80
days prior to such election.
Yours very truly,
w. i. HCUsER,
Secretary of State.
Try a Want Ad. rs cents a week.