The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-26
.SWAYzETELLS'EM
County Clerk Issues Instruc.
tiOns to Election Boards.
City Polls Will Open at
O'clock; County at s.

compiled a complete set of instructions
Tor Shawnee county election boards.
The instructions will be sent out to the
judges and clerks of the November
election.
One point Mr.. Swayze emphasizes is
the fact that there is no supervisor"
upon an election board. Each cleo
ton board, he says, is its own super
visor.
The polls will open in Topeka at
8 a. m. and close at p. m. In the
country precincts they will open at s
a. m. and close at p. m.
Following are the instructions the
county clerk has prepared for the
guidance of the judges and clerks at
the coming election:
Paragraph numbers have reference
to the election laws before YOU'D
Organize your board: Before the
polls can be declared opened, the
board must be organized. The judges
select one of their number to have
charge of the ballots, mark them, and
issue them to voters; another to check
the registry list. (Par. III, page $50
Returning judge not supervisor:
! The law does not provide for a ''su-
pervisor." A returning judge has al
ready been designated by the mayor or
trustees for each precinct He is paid
| for the extra duties as such, but is not
necessarily supervisor"
Vacancy on board: Should any reg
ularly appointed judge or clerk fail to
appear before time for opening the
| polls &C a.. m. in Topeka, and a. m.
outside the city, the electors present
fill the vacancy by viva voce election.
| (Par. III and 1859
Post instruction cards, ETC.: See that
instruction cards are posted in all
booths and about the polls, that lights
are provided in the booths, and that all
iS in
venient conduct of the election before
receiving votes. (Par. 1903
Opening the polls: Don't declare
the polls opened Tor start the voting
until you have completed your organ
ization. Open the ballot boxes. ex-
pose the interiors to the electors as
sembled, turn them upside down to
empty them completely. and then Sc
curely lock them; lPar IT,, 1892 b., for
voting in the city of Topeka are from
| 6 a. m. to p. M; outside the city,
| 8 a m. to p. m.
Swear in judges and clerks. If all
members of the board has not sub
scribed to the oath in the poll books,
this must be done before the board Is
a legal body. A judge who has been
sworn in may administer the oath.
When in doubt, consult the laws;
The latest and complete election laws
are provided by the county clerk Post
yourselves. The very full index makes
reference easy This law pamphlet
must be returned to the county clerk
with the ballots. (Par. 1870
The counting board: In precincts
having $50 or more votes double cleo
ton boards are required. The count
ing board comes on four hours aIteI
the polls open. The receiving poaru
has entire and complete control OF the
election in all details, except the as
sistance in counting. (Par. 135-142-;
Absent voters: Any Kansas voter
temporarily in Shawnee county may
vote at the nearest precinct by sub
scribing to absent voters affidavit.
and being sworn by the judge of cleo
tons. Such ballot must not be strung
nor counted on the poll book, put
sealed in an envelope PROVIDED anu
envelope addressed to the county
clerk. (Par 1915, pages s0-S1-)
Certificates of votes cast: Three
certificates of votes cast must be nlled
out and signed by all the judges and
clerks. One of these goes to the coun-
tv clerk, one to each of the chairmen
of the dominating political tRepuo-
ucan and Democratic) committees
John T. CLANCY, Republican, and F.
E Whitney, Democratic. (Par- 11Z-)
Fees of judges and clerks: All judges
and clerks receive $500 for the nrst
200 votes cast, or any NUMBER less
than 200, and one cent per vote for
all in excess of that number. The re-
turning Judge receives $1.00 and five
cents per mile each way for making
return of ballots, etc. (Par. 1913 and
1889
Public schools may be used In
all cases where it is not otherwise
pra cticable outside of cities elections
may be held in public school houses,
and all damages to buildings or furni-
ture shall be just charge against the
township (Par. 1889
Verify your totals: Be sure the to-
tails of tallies are correctly filled in
and that all the clerks books agree
before signing the certificates.
Manner of voting; The duties re-
garding receiving and counting of
votes are fully set out in paragraphs
i175 to 1855, pages ~ to rs. Read
carefully
Use blotters: There is no excuse
for the splatter work on the poll books
that deface the TALES and figures
Don't smear your books, but use blot
ters The poll book is meant to be a
record. not an illegible scrawl.
Additional ballots: Fill out blank
requistiion should you need additional
ballots, and phone the county clerk
(256) messenger will be sent at
once with the ballots. Hand him the
! requisition, properly signed.
Mark your envelopes: Every en-
velope furnished is plainly printed or
marked for its contents. See that the
number of ballots each contains is
written on the outside. This will IA
cilitate the making of your claim by
the county clerk, and balancing your
ballot accounts.
The board is supreme: The cleo
ton boards are in complete authority,
and can regulate the conduct of the
election as the law provides and see