Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-28
Enrolment for the Primaries.

Enrolment for the Primaries.
The purpose of the Primary Election
Law is that each political party sshail
nominate its own candidates at the
June primary to be subsequently, voted
for in the usual manner at the Scptem-
Der election, or, in the case of United
States Senators. to be subse luently
voted for by the legislature. The June
primary is in effect separate cleo
ton by each party to determine its
own nominees for Office. though held
at but one time and place. For this
reason, except in towns and plantations
having 2000 inhabitants or less. voters
must not only be registered IN The u.s.
ual way. but must also be enrolled as
members of some political party. Any
registered voter, howeFer, who has Tot
been so enrolled may be enrolled on
primary election day by the ballot
clerk.
The Portland Express, in timely
two column article, calls attention 10
the subject of enrolment of voters in
connection with the primary election
to be held at the polls on June II next
for the nomination of State and county
officers. 1t very properly urges the
great need of early attention to this
hot OH
temporary is in error in two impor-
tant particulars The Express says
that there is no provision for a voter
to, enroll himself previous to the
primaries On the contrary, there is
a perfectly plain and adequate pro-
vision for such enrolment. Section
1872 of Chapter 6 of the Revised
Statutes provides that "Any person
who is legal voter may enroll him
self as a member of any political
party by filing with the clerk of the
town of which he is a legal voter a
declaration in writing, signed by him.
substantially as follows: L. being
legal voter of , hereby elect to
be enrolled as a member of the
party. The following statement of
name. residence, place of last enroll
ment If any, and party of last enroll
ment il any. is true A new enroll
ment may be made at any time. but
the person making such a new enroll
ment shall not vote In any political
caucus within six months thereafter
if he designates a different political
party from that named by him in the
preceding enrolment"
There seems to be a great deal of
confusion in the public mind relative
to this matter. TO the extent, indeed,
of proposed meeting of those Of
ficially interested in the registration
of voters in the State to adopt some
uniform plan of procedure, Such a
meeting though entirely unnecessary,
might perhaps be beneficial, but it
cannot change the law regulating en-
to'ibAIHA. tit tOIildHibii Hllitn HAS
arisen is probably attributable to
misconeeption of the effect Of Sections
IL and 10 of the Primary Election
Law. 1t should be clearly understood
that the registration of voters. and
their enrolment, are two entirely dis
tinct and independent questions. III
order to vote at d primary election,
two things are necessary. taauaas
First. the voter must be registered
as qualified voter, in accordance
with the usual provisions applicable
to the preparation and correction of
check lists of voters. In cities of 1000
Inhabitants or more Boards of Regis
tration are in session for this purpose
on the week preceding the election.
tRevised Statutes, Ch. 5, Sec. 50
In all other cities, and in towns and
plantations the registration is under
the jurisdiction of the municipal off
GERS. CIR. S. Oh. >, Sec. 40 and Al
Such is the substance of Section Il OF
the primary election law.
Second. In cities, and in towns OF
two thousand inhabitants or more
voters must not only be registered as
stated in the preceding paragraph but
they must also be enrolled as mem
bers of some political party. They
may be enrolled in either of two ways
First, under r. S. Ch 6. Sec. 10:
QUOTED above) by filing a declaration
with the town clerk. This may be don,
at any time prior to the election. SucE
enrolment has nothing whatever t,
do with the voters registration, which
as previously stated, is an entirel,
distinct matter. Second. II the vote
has neglected to enroll himself witt
the city clerk, he may be enrolled OF
primary election day by subscribing
to an oath before a ballot clerk Tn
form of this oath so taken at the polls
the ballot clerks endorsement there
on, and the subsequent disposition G