The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1918-08-30
RULING ON SOLDIER
VOTING ACT ASKED
Question of Measures Work.
ability Before Attorney
General.

Bismarck, N. d., Aug. 29.-The
question as to whether $1,000 North
Dakota electors, fighting for their
country on foreign soil, are not dis
enfranchised is now before Attorney
General LANCER for an opinion. Rep.
G. A. Reishus of Minot. presented a
bill at the special session of legisla-
ture last January designed to give
our soldiers voice in the govern
ment of their state while they are
away fighting our battles. The
league majority in the house foored
the Reishus bill and presented a
substitute appropriating large
sum of money to defray the expenses
of voting commission to be named
by the governor to journey - to
France Italy and other foreign lands
in which our troops are billetted to
hold elections. There was so much
criticism of this measure that it
finally was withdrawn and another
substitute, adheringf closely to the
features of the original Reishus bill;
was introduced by Patterson. After
much amendment this bill finally
passed:
j.. Must Mail Ballots
It makes it the duty of the county
auditor at least IS days before any
general election other than primary
"of his own accord and without ap-
plication from any elector, to send
such absent voter ballot to such
elector in the manner provided in
Section 997 of the compiled laws for
1913" and provides that a. stamped
envelope shall be enclosed for the re-
turn of the ballot. The affidavit en-
dorsed on the absent voter ballot
may be made by the elector before
his immediate commissioned officer.
Election this year falls on Novem-
ber 5 and the absent voter ballots
would be mailed not later than
September 16. At least 40 days
under the most favorable conditions
will be REQUIRED to vote and return
these ballots. In a majority of
cases it. is believed sixty days will
be required. e
Canvassers. Open Ballots
The act of the special session of
1918 provides that if the return en-
velope containing the soldiers bal
lot is received too late to be forward
ed to the proper voting precinct in
time to be canvassed. it shall be re-
tanned by the county auditor and
canvassed by the county canvassing
board at any time prior to the meet
ing of the state canvassing board or
at any adjourned meeting Of the
state canvassing board, where the
same has been received by such au-
ditor in time to canvass and trans
NIT the results to the state canvass
ing board"
The question so far as can be
learned, cocnerns the right of the
state canvassing board to. adjourn
from day to day until such time as
all or a reasonable percentage of
the absent voter ballots are in. 1t
is believed that the legislature in
rassing the act regarded such day.
to-day adjournment possible. Some
one who seems to be interested in
either assuring the soldiers their
voting privileges or in making GER
tain that they can be denied it on q
technicality has asked for an opin-
ion. The attorney generals office
has not to date announced its rul-
ing on the matter.
15, 900 Men in. Service
There are approximately $1,000
North Dakota men now in service,
and; a majority of them are fighting
on foreign soil. They represent in
the :neighborhood of II per cent of
the electoral strength Of the state,
and their vote, in the present con-
test in North Dakota, would be SUI
flcient to decide the issue, were it
to go preponderantly one way or the
other.