Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-14

tho act Itself. (Section rs Hence 1t Is
competent for the party committees to
order printed on the primary ballots the
names OF candidates for party commit
tees. but as tho act (Which refers only
TO nominations for public oiiice) does
not require such candidates to file any
declaration or petition. or to pay any
fee. though party committees may mako
suchror similar requirements.
TO- Cnn qualified voter sign the
petitions OF more than one candidate
for the anme object
The validity of signature on a
petition Is not affected by the fact that
the same signature appears on the pcti-
ton of another candidate for the same
office. Whether voter may sign to
two such petitions Is Il question of pro-
priety and not of law
II. Who may vote ut August primary,
1851
All persons qualified TO vote at the
election for which the primary is held
may vote at tho primary;
tal Except no person shall vote for
candidates OF moro than one party: and
OBJ Except no person shall vote III the
primary Of August. 1915. for the candi-
dates of any party unless at the Con-
greSSional election, held in November
1914, he voted for the nominee of that
party, but if he did not vote at the No
vembcr election. 1914, then he shall be
allowed to vote upon his declaration
that he will support. ut the next No
vcnber election, the nominees o: the
party in whose primary he wishes TO
vote; and
Co Except those persons who are dis
qualified by reason of other require
mcnts in the law OF the party to which
he belongs. Thus the primary law rec
ogniZcS the right Of = party to prescribe
any qualifications for voting at pri-
marles, provided such qualifications are
not in conflict with tho statute. but un-
der ST nj a
party regulation nor statute can per-
init n person TO vote at Il primary who
is not at the time registered and quail
fled to vote ut the next succeeding cleo
ton.
Tho test OF n mans right under sub
section b OF section S TO vote in the
primary of party, is whether he voted
for the partys nominee at the last
preceding general election. II is.
therefore, immatcrial at the August
primary. 1915. whether the person Of
fcring to vote. vote the party ticket
In the presidential election OF 1872. or
in the gubcrnatorial election of 1919.
The only question Is how he voted in
the congressional election of 1914. but
If he did not vote ut that election, lie
may vote In August upon his dcclara
ton above set out.
To illustrate: If n man voted against
tho Democratic nominee for Congress
in November. 1914. he can. under no
circumstances. vote In the Democratic
primary August, 1915: but If he voted
against the Democratic nominee In the
presidential election. 1912. or against
the Democratic nominee in the gubcr
material election, 1919. but voted for the
Democratic nominee In the congress
sional election OF November. 1914. the
party law may permit him to vote in
the Democratic primary OF August 3.
but If he failed to vote in said congress
sional election. 'hc shall be allowed to
vote" at the primary upon his dcclara-
ton that he will support the party
nominee, etc.
II. Expenditures of candidates.
II is not lawful under the provisions
OF the primary act for candidate to
pay persons for obtaining signatures
to his petition for candidacy. and II Is
also unlawful for any candidate TO hire
on election day. Under section IL, deal
ing with expenses of candidates, all ex-
penditurcs are prohibited except those
which are expressly permitted.
III. Entrance fees OF candidates.
The entrance fees for the August
1918, primary. required by section 24-:t
must be paid TO the treasurer OF the
the candidates district is comprised OF
more than one county. the fee must be
equally divided among the counties in
the district.
1t is true that section 2i-a requires
state olhcers to pay their entrance
but the term State officers" as here
used was not intended TO include Com
monwealth's attorneys or members of
the House Of Delegates or the Senate
Of Virginia.
Yours truly,
JOHN GARLAND POLLARD
Acknowledgement of Virginia.