Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1910-02-17
A STUDY FOR VOTERS


occasion of his visit here and in
Boise. we were forced to the conclu-
sion that the gentleman was depend
ing for success in the primaries upon
the second choice" clause in the
bill. Many times during our CONVEX
sation he made remarks which We're
in substance: you know, every
voter must designate second
choice" and You have read the bill
and understand about the second
choice.r
We have had it in mind since that
conversation to speak to tie VOTE
pointedly about the matter, in that
they might not understand it. blt
the Boise Statesman makes such
clear expose on the subject that we
are saved considerable trouble by
quoting it's editorial, which we do
The one matter we wish to bring
more in point is forced upon us by
our conversation with Mr. GLADSTONE
He impressed upon us. without saying
so, the thought that it was his idea
that the votes for Governor Brady
and b. f. O'Neil for first choice
would be pretty evenly divided at
least near enough so for his pur-
pose. That the man voting for
either of these gentleman for first
choice would scarcely vote for the
other as second choice, and, there
fore, would most likely to vote for
him-the Hon. Paul Under these
conditions, Mr.. Clagstone's nomina-
ton, although he were the third
choice of the people, would be be-
yond question
The only possible way of obviating
this. should the vote for Brady and
O'Neil be a close one. is for every
voter to thoroughly understand the
law and religiously forgoe the pleas
ure of voting for Mr.. Clagstone as
their second choice.
Here is the Statesman's explana-
ton of the possible working out of
the primary election under the new
law:
The direct primary law viii no
discussion during the next few
months. Especially will it be a sub
ject for exploitation in the public
prints, as a matter of general infOr-
nation, If for no other reason. At
the present time there seems to be
only one question in sight that bears
promise Of complications. AMI that
is with respect to the first and sec
ond choice voting.
The law contains a form of ballot
bearing instructions to the voter.
which says in part:
Vote for both first and second
choice If there are more than twice
as many candidates as there are posi-
tions.
In other words. if there are more
than two candidates for any Office.
then the voter is instructed TO vote
for first and second choice"
The question arises: If a voter
should vote only for his first choice
would his ballot be rejected?
The instruction TO vote for both
first and second choice was apparent
ly Incorporated i'm order TO harmon
lie with another section of the law.
which reads:
Section 34.-The person receiv-
ing a majority of the first choice
votes at a primary as a candidate of
a party for an office shall be the
candidate of that party for such
Office. and his name as such candi-
date shall be placed on the official
ballot at the following election; pro-
vided, that if no candidate shall re-
ceive a majority Of the first choice
votes, then in that event a canvass
shall be made of the second choice
votes received by the candidates for
said Office, and said second choice
votes shall be added to the first
choice votes received by each cam
didate for such office. and the can
didate receiving the highest number
of first and second choice votes shall
be the nominee for such Office of the
party nominating him.
Under this section. the following
situation might be presented on the
basis of $4,000 votes cast.
LIST Choice 2nd Choice
Candidate Votes Cast Votes Cast
John Doe ..11,O05 4.5OC
Richard Roe $685. 1000
William Coe. 800 10,50(
In such a case. Doe receives a ma
jority of all the first choice vote,
cast. But let it be presumed thai
five Of those voting for him failed e
indicate a second choice. and thei'
votes were thrown out We woul,
have this
list choice End cnoic,
Candidate as counted. as counte,
John Doe .11. 900 4.5Ol
Richard Roe 5.S95 7.O0l
William Coe So. 500 1O.49l
The throwing out of the FIVE vote
would deprive Doe of the maj0rit.
of all the votes cast. 1907 being re
CURED and would result in a second
choice canvas. This would result a
follows
Candidate Vote
Tohn Doe 1- IN