East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-01-16

Among the acts OF the last leSiS-
lature was a series of bills changing
the election laws of the state of ore
gon in many important particulars.
The old code of election laws was
the result of piecemeal legislation and
was full of conflicts and ambigui-
ties The growth of the state. the
increased number of voters following
the adoption of woman suffrage and
the numerous duties imposed on the
secretary of state county clerks ana
other election officials. male num-
ber of changes imperative. As re-
suit series of important bills was
prepared by committee consisting
Of c. n. Macarthur, speaker: Sam A.
Kozer deputy secretary of state; and
w. A. Hall. chairman of the house
committee on elections. passed both
houses. were approved by the gov
ernor. and became laws.
There were. in all, - measures
pertaining to elections. and the result
o. their enactment is that Oregon
has a simple and more efficient set
of laws on this subject.
Primary Election Shifted.
Among the important changes
made are the following; The pri-
mary nominating election heretofore
held alternately in April and Septem-
Der has been shifted to the third FRI
day in May biennially; the polls are
to open at s a. m. and close at p. m.
one hour later than heretofore; all
candidates for district offices in dis
tricts embracing one county only, and
all candidates for the legislature, must
hereafter file their petitions with the
secretary of state; the progressive
party Is recognized as a regular po-
litical party within the meaning OF
the direct primary law: national COM
mitteemen are to be elected by popu'
lar vote in their respective parties,
more time is allowed the secretary OF
state and other election officials Tor
the preparation Of official ballots and
the distribution of campaign pamph-
lets. initiative and referendum meas
ures will hereafter have simplified
ballot titles and pamphlets will be
printed in smaller type.
These amendments to the election
laws are fully set forth In the Session
Laws of oregon for 1918. but the fol-
lowing is synopsis of the more i'm
portant changes.
Chapter 2SS changes the time ol
the biennial state election from the
first Monday in June to the first Tues
day after the first Monday in Novem-
ber. in accordance with the amend
ment to section IA of article II Of the
constitution of Oregon, made by the
people on June 1. 1908. This chap
ter also enumerates the state, district
and county officers to be lected, am
ong these being a United States sena'
tor.
Voters to Elect Senators.
The mention of the United State:
senatorship in this chapter contem
plated the adoption of the 18th am
epdment to the constitution of thu
United States, providing for direc
election of senator's by the people, 81
further legislation on this subjec
will not be necessary in the state o
| Oregon
This chapter. among other things
provides for keeping the polls opel
until s p. m. instead of p. m.
heretofore, in order to give working
men, clerks and others plenty of tim
] to vote. Heretofore, many laborer
I who reside in the suburbs have no
been able to reach their polling place
In time to vote.
Chapter 1919 designates those can
didates for public office who shall III
their declarations and petitions wit
the secretary of state and those VIII
shall file with the county clerk. Here
tofore much confusion has existed
judicial, congressional and prosecu'
ing attorney districts embracing on
one county, and candidates have bee
at loss to know whether to file the
petitions with the secretary OF sta'
or county clerks This chapter r.
moves all doubt BY providing th'