Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-01-21
Primary Bill Ready.

Making mandatory the nomination by
direct vote of candidates for all elective of.
fees, the new Primary Election bill, drafted
by Attorney General Straus, was received
at Annapolis on Monday for enerossine
prior to its introduction in the General
Assembly.
The measure is intendad to supplant the
law of 1908, and follows the recommended
tons Of the Governor, who, in his recent
message to the Legislature, urged law
that will require nominations of candi-
dates for elective offices to be made by the
direct vote of the people. In commenting
upon the effect of this measure if passed,
the Governor said direct nominations, stead
lily maintained and exercised by the whole
people, will improve the government of the
State.
Under the provisions of the bill political
parties that poll or have polled 10 per cent
of the total vote cast in the State at a
general election must nominate all candi-
dates for public offices and elect all dele
gates to conventions. members of manag-
ing bodies, precinct, ward. city, county and
State executives by primary elections. The
nomination of any candidate by party
in convention is prohibited, as is the selec-
ton or appointment of a party official,
executive or manager. The powers Of con-
ventions are limited to taking action upon
all the interests of the respective parties
save the nomination of candidates for pub
lie offices or party managers or executives.
The primary election, ii is provided, shall
be conducted by judges and clerks appoint
ed by the Supervisors of Elections for the
general election. The nominating contests
of the different parties are to be held on
the same day and at the same polling places
with provision, however, for separate bal
lots Of different color and separate ballot
boxes for each party. The voters must be
registered in the regular registration books,
and provision is made for the recording of
their party utilization. This system the bill
provides, will apply to elections throughout
the State. The elections are to be con-
Quoted in the same manner. as far as prac-
ticable, as the general elections are held
In effect, the bill extends the provisions
of the Baltimore City Primary Election law
throughout the State, eliminating however,
in this city and all the counties any nom
in tiono hxJ aonuantinn IL Drov;dao that
all aspirants for all State offices may sub
NIT their candidacy to the direct vote of
the people to express their choice in the
selection Of candidates for State. Federal
and local offices. The adoption of the
measure will mean that in addition to
candidates for elective offices party man
ayers and executives will have to be Sc
lected by the direct vote of the party
members. Members of the State central
committees and other party boards will
have to be chosen by popular vote, and
this reform was strongly urged by the Gov
ernOr, who said better electorate would
follow its adoption.
Primary contests must be held not later
than the third Monday in September of
each year, but the day for holding the cleo
tons need not be the same in the city or
several counties In Baltimore, however,
the candidates of the various parties and
their State central committees, party man
ayers and officials must be chosen by the
direct vote of the party members in the
same polling places The printing of bal
lots Of the different parties on paper of
different colors and the separation of the
voters of each party will facilitate the cast
ingOf the votes.
To have his name placed on the ballot
as a candidate for nomination for public
Office or aspirant for the post of party
manager. executive or official, the candi-
date must file certificate with the Super
visors Of Elections. stating the public office
for which he desires to be nominated or
the party committee to which he wishes
to be elected A fee of $25 must be paid
by each candidate for nomination to a
public Office. while those seeking positions
as executives or members of party COM
mittees must pay fee of $40 For vio-
lations Of the law the same penalties as
are provided for in the General Election
laws are operative