Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-07-23
ELECTION LAW DEFECTS.

mere Is need for a general revision
Of u election laws for the purpose
of making specifically some provisions
which have been overlooked and for
making some changes in the provi-
sions which now exist. The whole
subject of the organization of new
parties, for instance appears to be
run largely by guess. This ought not
to be.
Whatever may be the fact as to the
wisdom OF the organization Of any
political party, it ought to be possible
and easy for any reasonable number
Of citizens TO organize a political party
to represent the opinions which they
hold. n any party SO organized
should have exactly the same stand
ing in law that any other party has.
So far as We know. there is now no
specific provision for the formation Of
new parties. Two years ago the pro-
gressive party was established. It's
candidates were nominated by petit
ton, no other way being provided.
And this year, without any absolute
legal justification that we know of,
the progressive party vas accorded a
place in the primary election. Appar-
entity all of this was done by courtesy
and not in compliance with any legal
enactment.
When a corporation Is formed for
business purposes it is formed in ac-
cordance with laws which set forth
very clearly each step that must be
taken. And when all the necessary
legal steps have been taken, the cor
poration remains a regularly and
legally authorized body so long as it
continues to comply with the laws Of
the state. Is there any good reason
why at least as careful supervision
should not be used in connection with
political parties, or why a group of
citizens should not be able to turn to
the statute books and find there, clear
~ and briefly stated, the exact pro-
cedure which must be followed to en-
title the party which they desire to
organize to legal recognition?
Just as a suggestion, let it be en-
acted that a group of citizens-say
800 or Soothing in a. number of
different counties, may by a formal
statement addressed to the secretary
OF state declare their purpose to or
ganize a new political party, giving its
name. Then let a certificate of organ
ization issue, and let the party be
given a place on the ballot, candi-
dates for the various positions to be
nominated for the first election by
petitions signed in the usual way by
a sufficient number Of persons, who
declare themselves in writing to be
desirous of a%ffliating with the new
party. Then let the future recogni-
ton Of the new party depend on the
size of the votes cast for its candi.
dates. Place the number low enough
to insure the perpetuity of any party
which has any reasonable ground fo,
existence and any appreciate meas.
ure of popular support, and if that
fails, let the party existence termi-
nate, Just as the existence Of a bust.
ness corporation is terminated when
it discontinues its business.
Further, after a party has beer
organized and has had opportunity tc
become established, it's nominations
should be made at the primary cleo.
tions, and in no other way and at nc
other time. The party whose mem.
hers are not sufficiently interested ir
Its existence to go to the polls an6
assist in nominating its candidates has
no valid reason for further existence
and it Should not be permitted tc
nominate candidates by petition or b,
convention after it has failed to avail
itself Of the opportunity afforded a,
the primary.
These are a few of the things
wherein Jul statutes are lacking, and
the whole subject should be cleared
up by the enactment of laws which
will simplify the situation and remove
the fog.