Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-03-12
Cifu and State AtfOrflels
Opinions Differ Regarding
Qualifications for Voting
Bangs View Will Govern
City Election, Elton's in
Primary; Latter Holds
Legislative Definition Of
Precinct" to Apply in the
Coming Election.

0latS > fAllOTuGS L. DE- GllOu, OGLaSNCS
that Chapter SO, Special Session Laws
of 1913 of tha.statc of North Dakota,
which defines tho word Precinct" as
used in the state election laws, to
mea the toWnship,t village, city or
u~norganiZcd territory in which a voter
resides, should govern in the coming
primary election. -
morning edition of The Herald today
will govern throughout Grand Forks
county so far as the primary election
to be held March 16 is concerned.
City Attorney George A. Bangs be-
lievcs that Chapter So is u%nconstitu-
tional.
His opinion as published in The
Herald for March s will govern in the
city OF Grand Forks, in so farSas the
city election, also to be held March
16, is concerned.
''Precinct" Meaning Question.
The election laws OF the state re-
quire that to be qualified to vote Mt
any election an elector must nave re-
sided one year in the state, six months
in the county and 80 days in the pre-
cinct next preceding the election.
This law is not changed in any way.
The only question is as to the meaning
of the word precinct" This,Sas al
ready pointed out, the recent special
session of the legislature attempted
to define, placing a meaning thereon
contrary to that which has previously
been accepted.
Each city. village or township Is
held to be one precinct rs far as resi-
dence requirements are concerned.
For convenience voting districts
whose boundaries correspond with
those of the old precincts are created,
(which have no effect whatever ON the
/. -.rsl~--e ,AlsRoo<;N~ L Nh Elfn
holds. s.
AN ILLUSTRATION. :
The situation may best he
made clear. perhaps, by u con-
crete illustration. A citizen. for
example. has lived n year or
more in the Stste-and SIX mi
in the county. Fo sixty days just
prior to the election, HI. has lived
in the Second ward Of the city OF
Grand Forks. Prior to that time
he lived in tho Third ward.
Under these circumstance he
could vote in tho primary exec
ton, but not in the city election.
That is II say he could east his
ballot for presidential preference.
presidential electors. national
committeeman and delegates OF
the party to which he belongs,
and on the constitutional amend
IutIVS dANA AlASt6b%~A
are being submitted to the voters
OF the state.
He could not, however. cast his
ballot for mayor, alderman or
other city officers.
!, WHAT TT MEANS.
;. So any man or othes>
wise qualified to vote, may cast
his or her ballot in the state prt-
, mary election If he Or b has re-
sided in the state for ono year,
!. in the county six months and In
the same city, village or township
for the 90 days just previous 70
1 the election.
Only those electors who have
resided in the state year, IN
> the county six months and In the
. some ward or precinct 30 days
inst previous to the election may
vote in the city election, however.
1t should be clearly horne IN
> mind, however, that under these
9 circumstances n resident OF the
city of Grand r who cannot
votc in tho. city election may nc
!. qualified to vote in tho primaries
= and should do so.
Not Final Ruling.
OF course, neither Mr.. Elton's opir
> ion nor that of Mr.. Bangs is in an
way q nnAl TulnS. lHhI>SnA 70 80
only by the courts OF the state 18th
!, matter is presented to them.
Mr.. ,Elton's opinion is his W vie
e of the law by which h county o.
icials will be governed until author
# tatiye instructions to the contrary al
received through a court decision.
otherwise.
In the same manner Mr.. Bangs =:
presented his opinion, by which II
city officials will be governed unle
some authoritative ruling to the col
u trary is received.
Hours For Voting.
- In Mr.. Elton's opinion he also poin
a out that the polls for the primal
Of election will be open from 3 O'Clock
te. M. until 9 o'clock p. m. This appli
ia in the city of Grand Forks as well
:. elsewhere, as has been previous
n stated in The Herald. b san
polling places will be used for bo
is the city and primary elections. b
- primary ballots will be issued al
received between the hours Of > a;
n and . p. m. only. while city ballf
MS will be issued and received betWe
IN the hours of S a. m. and . p. M. on
AvIAToRs HoNoRED.