Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-10-05
HAVE YOU RIGHT TO
VOTE IN ELECTION?


qualifications as at forth In the con
stitution and statutes of New Mexico.
as modified by the nineteenth amend
ment To the constitution of the United
States. Is the only legal requirement
necessary to entitled anyone to vote
in any general election In New Mex
leo.
No person. nor any official, lawyer
or Judge. not eygen the governor him
self. has any legal or moral right to
impose any other requirement than
that set forth In the written laws Of
the state. M official has any legal or
moral right to wilfully misinterpret
any law or miSinfOrm any person for
the purpose Of DISTINGUISHING him.
Every intelligent person can read
the laws. and should eXpect AMI tie
mand that they be- interpreted accord
ing to the plain intent and language of
the printed text. The constitution OF
New Mexico. Article Z. says
Every male citizen ~ the United
States who is over the age Of twenty
one years aud has resided IN the state
of New Mexico twelve months IN the
county ninety days, and In the pre-
cinct In which he offers ca vote. thirty
days next preceding the election, eS-
cept idiots. insane persons. persons
convicted ~ feloni0us or Infamous
crime. unless restored tn political
rights. aud Indians not taxed. shall he
qualified 10 vote az all elections for
public officers
THE legislature shall have the pow
or To require the registration Of the
qualified electors as requisite for vot-
ing. and shall regulate the manner
time and place of voting The legisla-
ure shall enact such laws ms VIII Sc
cure the secrecy NJ the ballot. the puri'
~ Of elections and guard against the
abuse Of the elective franchise.
The nineteenth amendment to the
United States constitution provides
that The right To vote in any state
shall not he abridged on account of
sex" That Is the only written law
touching qualification Of voters in
New Mexico.
This Is the supreme law of the state.
and no statute, ruling or decision con
trary to or in contraventlon OF II Is ie-
gal or binding. and any person. official,
lawyer or Judge who says any other
qualifications are necessary, or VINO
gives any other Interpretation of the
laws than the plain statement as writ
fen. does So for political advantage
with deliberate intent 10 defeat popu'
lar government
In order To decide your right to
vote In the coming election. 1t Is only
necessary to know that you have the
qualifications required by law. Inc
ouestion most often In controversy Is
TO a persons legal residence. The ques'
ZION OF residence for any purpose eX-
cent voting we al known Is simple
matter to decide II should be as sim
ME 10 establish residence for voting
purposes IL men were fair and honest,
and would not seek Ia disfranchise "th'
ers for political advantage.
The law contemplates that every per
son shall have domicile. and II 9th
erwise qualified. shall vote some place
In this free country every free per
sou IL privileged to choose the place
az his domicile. Then the supreme test
ne IN ones legal residence Is ones own
declaration. II person In good faith
declares anv place to he his legal res
idence. and any one disputes the cialm
the burden Of proof must W on lhc
one contrasting the claim. No person
has any legal or moral right t' ASSUME
that another persons residence Is 9th
or than where he says II II, unless ne
cam nroye hy good and conclusive evil
dence that the person making the dec.
mration is not acting in good faith ana
attempting To perpetrate fraud
The principle of common sense ana
iustice is recognized by our laws ior
section .. Chapter -, New Mexico
statutes. codification 1919, says: III
,nv nerson is refused registration by
tho mdges Of registration, he make ana
n,asent to the Judges his affidavlt III
writing. setting forth that the affiani
il citizen of the United states tllhl
no has resided In the state ni New
Uevico for the twelve months next
nreceding. in the county Tor ninety
DAYS next preceding, and IN the pre-
,inct i'm which he offers Ia register
for thirty days next preceding the en-
s,,ing election. and that he Ia not dis-
qualified for any reason from being
,.egistered ms voter. and from voting
al said election. Such affidavit may
bp sworn 10 Ufioit dHN
neace or any officer qualified 10 hd-
minister oath. and all justices OF tne
Deace are required to administer me
oath 10 any such affiant upon apph-
cation. free Of charge. and any justice
~ the peace who shall refuse to au-
minister any such oath upon applica-
ton and certify thereto. upon such al
fidavit that the same has been duiy
sworn TO bv affiant. shall I've subject
Ia Che penalty provided for any viola
ton Of this section.
"when any such affidavit Is pre-
scented bv the board Of registration. II
shall he the duty Of the board to forth
with place the name Of the person men
toned and described as qnalitied
voter in said affidavit ON the reglstrh-
lion list. And that they shall not there
after remove the same. the natural IN
ference and assumption being that
when one makes such affidavit that he
Is legal voter. and cannot he denied
the right TO vote"