The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-07-26
NEW ELECTION LAW
Important Points For Voters
to Consider.

IT, Is important that the electors OF
Kootenal county should understand
the changes which have been made in
the election laws OF Idaho since the
last general election.
Prior to 1918 the law IN regard to
registration of voters was practically
the same as the new law OF 1912.
This law was repealed in 1913 and
law enacted providing permanent
system OF registration. On account
of the numerous defects in the ad-
mlnistration OF the 1918 law, the
same was repealed In 1917 and the
old law was practically reinstated.
At the present time in order to en-
title person to vote at the general
election, one must be citizen Of the
United States and have resided in
the state of Idaho for SIX months
Immediately preceding the election
at which he offers TO vote, and in the
county 80 days, and no person shall
vote unless he is first registered.
No person Is qualified to vote at
any primary unless he will be a quail
fed elector of the county and state at
the next general election and at the
time OF the primary be duly register
ed in the precinct wherein he offers
to vote.
One may register during each Sat-
urday, including and from the first
day of May, to and including the
Saturday next preceding the primary
election, at which time the registra-
tion books are closed until the Satur-
day following the primary election,
and are then reopened for registration
at any time until 9 p. IN. on the Sat-
urday preceding the general election;
thus 1t will be seen that no person
can register on the day Of election,
elLner primary OT ReueTdI'
II one registers for the primary
election it is not necessary to register
again for the general election.
Another important change ip the
general election laws is the form oil
ballot which is now practically
headless ballot and makes it imposSi
bile for person to vote a straight
ticket with a single cross, as cross
must be placed after the name O.
each person for whom one desires II
vote at the general election.
1t is thought that the new system
OF registration will be much NOR
satisfactory than the one preVIouSi
used, as it prevents much fraudulen
voting, alleged to have occurred
undcr the old system.
Another law, which has been mucl
discussed, was enacted in l9l7, re
latlng to authorization of absen
voting. Under this law any qualities
elector of the state of Idaho, who
absent or expects to be absent frot
the election precinct In which he re
sides, on the day Of holding an
election under the laws Of this stat
under which an official ballot is re
Quired and il registration Is require
for such election. one who is full
registered therefore may vote at an
such election il he makes applicatlo
to the county auditor or other propt
official not more than fifteen or LEI
than one day preceding such election
for an official ballot to be voted {
himself. The officer receiving u
application thereupon delivers to tn
applicant personally or mails him
registered mail, an official oa!!o
The ballot Is marked by the abseI
voter and returned to the officer WI
issued the same, at least one day D
fore the date of election, and upt
receipt of the returned ballot, I'll
otflcer receiving 1t shall deliver IL
the judges of election of the precln
at which the elector resides.
The various provisions relating
absentee's voting must be strict
followed 10 regard to the ballots al
the penalty for false atfidavits or 10
PRESENTATIONS is Imprisonment 10 I