Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-06

, no vote could be counted. under the
new law it is entirely optional with
the voter whether he places a cross
in the large square at the head of the
column or not.
He may vote a straight ticket by
placing a cross in the big square, or
he may omit the cross in that place
and check each name in the column
by placing a cross in the small
square at the right Of each name II
there is a candidate in the party
column whom he does not desire to
vote for he may simply draw his
pencil through such name with the
effect that the vote shall not be
counted for that particular candi-
date.
II he desires to vote for the candi-
date of another party for that office,
he may simply go over into the COL
umn where the candidates name ap-
pears and make a check mark in the
small square at the right of such
name with the effect that he has
voted for all candidates in the col
umn over which he has placed his
cross with the exception of the
candidate which he has stricken out,
and he has also voted for the candi-
ddate in the other party column at
the right Of whose name he has
placed the cross.
| II it is desired to vote for person
! for some particular office whose
name is not on the ballot the voter
may do so by striking out the name
| n tho lot i,, ho
which he has placed his cross and
writing in the new name in the blank
space underneath the name which is
| stricken out.
A RADICAL Departure.
| A radical departure in the manner
Of voting is provided by the new
law whereby the voter may omit the
cross in the square at the top of the
column and place a cross in the small
square at the right of the name of
any candidate for whom he desires to
vote in any of the party columns,
with the effect that he has voted for
only such candidates as he has
checked. If the voter elects to mark
his ballot in this manner, he may
vote for a person whose name is not
or. the ballot by simply striking out
the name of a candidate printed I'M
der the designation Of the Office in
any of the party columns. writing in
the new name in the blank space I'M
derneath and making a cross in the
/ square at the right.
When the electorate of the State
becomes familiar with the new man
st will l.,
result in a decrease in the number of
defective ballots cast at each cleo
ton If the voter follows irstruc-
tions and holds to one manner of
voting he will find the manner very
simple. II. however, he mixes meth
DDS he will without doubt find him
self in water beyond his depth. 1t
would seem. however, that trouble
might arise. when the voter attempts
to split his ticket, The ideal way to
do this would APPEAR TO be by the
use of the check marks in the small
squares.
Soldiers May Vote.
An attempt will be made to secure
the soldier vote this fall in canton
nnents where possible. The secretary
of State finds his plans somewhat
impeded or account Of the fact that
nominations may be made for indie
pendent candidates up to August
10th. 1t will be necessary to print
about 100000 ballots to take care of
both the soldier and regular vote
and in these times Of dearth of
lshor in all departments it is no
mean task.
The printer, however, Is waiting