The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-05-19
Direct Primary Law.

Politicians. irrespective of party, are
awaiting with interest for the State meet
ings of the Central Committee of the
Democratic and Republican parties.
From all accounts the meetings of the
two committees will be in the nature of
schools for instruction for the compexi-
ties of the Lee law are said to be knotty
for even some of the shrewdest OF the
political leaders The machinery pro-
vided for by the law is simple enough,
when once explained, but the explana-
ton is somewhat lengthy for the reason
that the Gubernatorial primary under the
Lee law IS going to be a combination Of
the direct primary, such as that used in
the nomination OF the Mayor of Baltimore
and the old convention system.
The nominations for Governor Comp
troller and Acknowledgement of each
party will be made in State Conventions,
but the delegates are pledged to vote for
the candidates receiving tie highest num-
Der of hrst-choice votes in the county or
district. Provision is made, by process
of elimination, to prevent the possibility
OF no majority being received.
The following counties are exempt from
the operations OF the new law: Howard,
Wlcomlco. but these counties, may, by
direct vote at the first primary election,
adopt the law for use thereafter. The
election must be held in each county not
excepted. not later than the first Monday
in September.
Each candidate for office must file a
certificate, in writing, with the Board of
Supervisors of Election, giving name,
address and the office for which he seeks,
and acknowledge such certificate before
someone authorized to take acknowledge
mentS; and all such certificates must be
filed at least IS days before the date OF
primary election, and said names must be
published at least DAYS before election.
Each candidate for nomination to public
office shall pay the sum of SIS in order to
have his name printed on ballot. pro-
vlded that when the salary of the office is
$500 or less. such payment shall be $40;
the same 10 be paid to the Election
Supervisors, and then TO the County
Commissioners. the expense OF the cleo
ton being borne by the county.
The ballots are TO be OF a different color
for each party, and before voted must be
enclosed in an official envelope of the
same color.
Each voter at the primary must desig-
nate the party TO which he belongs, aud
which party candidates he intends TO vote
for, before he is given his ballot and en-
velope. But this requirement. of course,
cannot bind voter at the general cleo
ton, except morally.
Candidates may. at their own expense,
have any desired number of official bal
lots printed, and delivered to them ) days
before the election, and the same may be
used bv them for the purpose of soliciting
votes. They may be marked at home
taken to the election and voted III the
official envelopes. Marking the ballot,
and enclosing same; or enclosing pre-
viOusly marked ballot, must be done in a
booth behind screen. The envelope
shall correspond in color to the color of
the ballot used. Ballots of one party,
enclosed in the envelope of another party,
shall not be counted
Names of candidates shall be placed on
the ballot, alphabetically.
The marking shall be done with a black
pencil.
The date for holding the primary cleo
ton is to be fixed by the governing body
of each party by agreement, and all par
ties shall hold their primaries on the
same day.