The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1910-04-27
OKLAHOMA ELECTION LAW.


For the benefit Of those who may
not fully understand the election law
OF Oklahoma, we give the following
statement from Fred P. Branson, chair
man Of the Democratic state central
committee:
The election law in force IN Okla
homa al the present time is the one
passed By the First state legislature
OF Oklahoma in the spring Of 1908,
and is found In sniders Oklahoma
statutes. The Second legislature,
which met In January, 1909 passed
new election law known as the Taylo'
bill, which would have repealed the
1908 act had it ever become effective.
It never became effective for the rea-
son that the Republican party had the
same referred under the referendum
provision OF our law to a vote OF the
people thus suspending the same until
after il could be voted upon. Before
an election for the ratification or rel
lection Of said act was called. said act
was repealed by the legislature in the
special session Of 1910 and what is
known as the Bryan election law was
passed. The new law win operate to
repeal the 1905 law, which is now
In effect. on and after June Is. 1910,
provided that referendum petitions are
not filed asking that the same be re-
Iferred for ratification or rejection 70
the people If Il Is re4erred, the old
election law first above referred TO
passed BY the First legislature Of Okla
homa will remain in full force and
effect
The special session OF the Second
Oklahoma legislature Of 1910 passed q
resolution recommending TO the people
Of the state that an amendment to the
constitution OF the state be initiated
under the provisions Of our law for ini-
tiating amendments 10 the constitn-
lion, relative 10 suffrage. the amend
ment to be section AZ to article 3 q
the constitution. and is in words and
figures as follows, toswit;
= NO person shall be registered q
an elector OF this state, or be allowed
: to vote In any election held herein IN
less he be able to read and write an
section OF the constitution Of the stat
Of Oklahoma. but no person who was
On January list, 1866. Or at any tim
prior thereto. entitled to vote unde
any form OF government. or who q
4 the time resided in some foreign nj
tion. and no iineal descendant Of suc
: person. shall be denied the right I
register and vote because Of his inahi
lily to SO read and write section of sue
+" constitution
y II Is clear from reading this that q
n same does not put any qualilicatia
y upon the right Of any white man Or \
II dian citizen to vote It win mere
e operate 10 exclude the illiterate neg
population Of this state. many Of who
are fIocking to Oklahoma to make II
their home. for the reason that 9th
states from whence they come ha
deemed Ii advisable aud for the be
interests Of the state y put a simil
qualification in effect
This amendment to the CONSTITUTE
w Of The state viii not ID eny wise affe
ly the right of suffrage of any white
N Indian citizen in this state. In co
~ pIiance with this resolution Of the /
Il islature. recommending the same !
tiative petitions In conformity to
s state Of Oklahoma have been sent
a over the state to be signed for the p
u nose Of initiating this amendment
NV the constitution Of oklahoma. II is
w pected that the same will be sigr
NJ at once and returned, 2 that the sa
~ may be filed at once and the elect
re- called upon this proposed amendm
II to the constitution as early as pr
al ticable. Ii IS expected that the 50
lus can be gotten In shape 50 that
ed election on the same day may be cal
On The date Of the primary August
gill 1910, thus avoiding the expense Of
es- extra election.