The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-12
JUDGE 5, [, GREENE
 EXPLAINS VJT|NC Why Many Names Were Omitted from List ASKS AID OF ELECTORS Says Unless Notice Is Given to Pro- bate Judge 1t Is impossible
 to Keep the Lists
 Accurate.
ASKS AID OF ELECTORS


 Inasmuch as there has been a good deal of complaint on the part of voters that their names were left off the list of qualified electors sent out from the probate office to the various polling places at the election held on the 2sth of November, I deem it proper. in jus tice to myself and for the Information of the voters so left off, to make an explanation as to the difficulties of pre- act of the legislature. approved No vember 2s. 1907. (See general acts, special session 1907. page 6s).
 The election held on the 29th of No- vember, 1909, was hotly contested on both sides, and as a rule, voters whose names did not appear on the lists were challenged and they were required to take tho oath of qualification before being allowed to vote. Knowing that there would be many names of per sons omitted from the lists who were qualified electors, I sent out with the boxes, to every voting place in the county. card of instruction and re- quested that 1t be posted up at the polls, informing the voters that even though their names might not appear on the list of qualified electors, yet by producing their certificates of regis tration and poll tax receipts, or, If qualified. to vote by taking the oath of qualification, they had the right to vote.
 When it is remembered that except when the voter has notified the probate office of his change of residence to some other precinct that his name Is sent to the precinct in which he re- sided at the time of his registration, one can realize how difficult it is to make correct list of the qualified electors. Twentieth street, for instance, divides precincts 21 and ST; a person may have registered in one of these precincts and changed his residence to the other-his name would be placed on the list, if shown to be qualified elector, of the precinct in which he registered.
 In making up the lists of qualified electors, In addition to the difficulty growing out of the change of residence from one precinct to another Gin Jeff ferson county there are 51 precincts), there is the further difficulty of de- termining from the records in the pro- bate office the status of those who have come to the county from other states, or other counties. Under the act of the legislature above referred to, the pro bate judge can only place upon the lists the names of those who, from the registration and poll tax books fur nished him by the Board of Registrars and the tax collector, affrmatively ap- pear to be qualified electors; except when the elector submits to him such evidence as to facts upon which he claims exemption as will establish his claim of exemption from the payment of poll taxes. For instance, if he Is exempt from the payment of poll taxes on the ground that he was & township trustee, or an active member of the Alabama National Guard, or paid hts poll taxes in another county, or was S resident of the state, or is perna- nently disabled and his taxable proper ty has not at any time during the poll tax age exceeded $500, he must make proof before the judge of probate of the ground of exemption. A great many voters, since the lists were made up, have come in and made the proor required and received certificates of qualification.
 Some mistakes have occurred on ac- count of the given names of persons appearing on one record and their in itials on the other q refer to the reg istration and poll tax records); and some on account of similarity of name3. In one precinct, for instance, there are three persons who have registered un- der the name of R. E. Lee
 Section of the act referred to pro- vides, among other things. that when an elector changes the county of his residence he shall file with the pro bate judge of the county of his new location certificate from the probate judge of the county of his former resi- i dence that he has paid all poll taxes due from him for the year 1901, and for each subsequent year up to the time of such change of residence.
 Section of said act provides as fol- lows That the judge of probate shall carefully compare the registration lists with the annual poll tax lists required by law to be filed with him by the tax collector, and in making alphabetical lists of electors for the use of election in- spectors, he shall include only those reg