The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-29

The cross mark in the square at the
right Of the candidates name need not
be made with mathematical precision.
But must be made 30 that the lines
marks except the cross marks should
be made on the ballot excepting. OF
course, the names of candidates which
the voter desires to write in the blank
mistake or wrongfully mark his bal
lot, no erasure should be made. but the
ballot should be returned to the judges
and new ballot requested. If more
than one candidate for the same office
is voted for, except where there are two
not be counted for any of the candi-
dates for that particular office. The
voter should be careful SO as not to
make any any Identifying marks on his
ballot; but the judges In counting the
ballots should not be captious and
should not discard ballots unless they
are of the opinion that the voter has
Intentionally made identifying marks
upon the ballot.
Sample Ballots.
Newspapers and candidates have been
particularly interested in that portion
Of the law prohibiting the printing and
circulation Of sample or imitation bal
lots. The Supreme court has construed
this law not to apply to the county
clerk and they are required to procure
fifty sample ballots of a color different
from the Official ballots for the use Of
each precinct just as heretofore. How
ever. it was not the intention of the
legislature that the voter should be
denied the privilege of learning any
thing about the form Of the ballot prior
to election day and the law would not
prohibit the publication by newspapers
Of the general form of the ballot pro-
vided that the publication does not so
resemble the official ballot that 1t could
be considered sample or imitation
thereof. Candidates for Office or party
workers are not prohibited from using
printed forms for the purpose OF famil-
iarizing voters with the ballot. but they
cannot use sample or imitation ballots
or reproductions Of the official ballots
on colored paper.
Absent Voters.
Under the absent voter law, all per-
sons who are necessarily absent from
their home counties on election day
may vote elsewhere in the state for
state, district Ind county offices. In
such case the voter should apply to
the election officers of the precinct
where he is temporarily stopping and
there make an affidavit that is re-
Quired, which sets forth the voters
home ward or township and the ma
ture of the duties, occupation or bust
ness by reason of v hich the voter is
home county. Upon the making of
this affidavit. general ballot will be
given the absent voter. The words,
duties or occupation or business do
not necessarily limit the right to vote
away from home to those engaged in
gainful occupations. The ancient
and most honorable duties Of the
housewife are now among the occu-
pations Of those who can vote in Kan
sas. A woman engaged in any of the
numerous activities of womankind has
the privilege of voting away from
home. Students of the schools and
colleges and at the university have
this privilege. The absentee voter
should mark the ballot just exactly as
he or she would If voting at home,
except that the names Of the candi-
dates that are not already printed on
the ballot must be written in. The
candidates for state office and in many
instances the candidates for congress
and district judge will be found al