Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1913-07-12
NEW KINKS in
ELECTION LAW
important Changes in Election
methods Found in New Law.

There is considerable speculation in
capitol circles relative To the new law
passed at the last session OF the legls-
lature, known as the James bill,
which provides for the abolition of
party enrolment.
That there are number Of kinks in
the pew lazy that will make themselves
manifest ere long is assured by close
study Of the new act. There was at
the last session and still is, for that
matter, a prevailing opinion that the
new law will make 1t more difficult
for a new party To obtain recognition
at primary. Such an opinion seems
TO be correct, for while the EXISTING
law provides that candidates of new
party for state office may obtain the
printing OF the names upon the ballot
by filing petition signed by 300 quail:
fed electors, the new law requires
nomination petitions signed by at
least 300 qualified electors.
The number Of petitioners required
by any candidate remains the same as
under the existing primary |. c. two
per cent OF the number Of votes cast
for secretary of state at the last pres
eeding November election in the state
district, county, etc. as the case may
be.
The prevailing opinion appears to
be that by doing away with the party
enrollment and providing for one pri-
mary ballot, on which is placed the
tickets OF all political parties, party
lines, so far as the primary is concern
ed, have been eliminated. Itis true
that under the new law any elecLor
may vote for candidates OF any poll
tical party he may choose, but in so
doing he cannot vote for candidates
of mure than one political party, For
instance, II a Republican chooses to
favor a candidate, but If be does SO
vote he is precluded from voting for
any Of his Republican friends.
The "l5 per cent clause" which
prohibited political parties from hav'
ing the names OF any candidates
printed upon the election ballot un.
less such political party cast at the
primary election at least Is per cent
of the vote cast by SUCH politica
party for secretary Of state at the last
preceding November ELECTION has beef
eliminated.
Secretary of State Martindale say
that by doing away with the part,
enrolment, a saying OF several thon
sand dollars will be made each year
The cost Of printing and binding en-
rollment books, the postage necessar
TO make returns TO the secretary q
state and county clerical assistanc
required in checking petitions Of can
didates. amounted to 40 small sum
The qualification OF an eeclor t
participate In primary election wi
only be TO haye his name properl
registered, as ie required fpr pthe
elections. A qualified electOr may b
registered and eligible to vote at an
primary election II he shall appear !
person before the city or townshi
clerk or other officer 10 charge OF th
registration book and take the Oat
required as to qualifications for regis
trstion. A qualified elector may ais
be registered by the election inspector
on any primary day, by making oat
or affirmation that he Is quallfie
elector in the particular precinct, an
any person registering on any prmaI
day shall be entitled to vote at til
succeeding election without otht
registration. There shall be no regi
tration day for primary, general {
city elections except as prescribed |
the general election laws.
A somewhat novel proyisiap
placed Ia the ameujatory act TO IL
effect that upon the expiration OF ii
time for filling petitions in any prin
ary for cities or counties, IL II appea
there Is no opposition TO any candida
for any Office, then the city or coun
! clerk shall certify To tho election col
missioner the name Of such perso
and such person shall be declar
nominees for the respective Offices a
no primary will be held on su
offices