The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-28
THE SECOND CHOICE
VOTE FARCE
Tampa Tribune.
Florida will have another primary

Florida will have another primary
election in few weeks, wherein we
will vote twice in the same election in
an attempt to prevent holding two
primary" nominating elections. We
have voted several times under this
plan and each time has proven more
strongly than the one before, that the
plan is nothing but something to make
minority the majority, SO far as WIN
ming is concerned.
1t has been noted that but a small
per cent. of voters will indicate a sec
ond choice on any ticket, and we have
observed that one reason for it is the
friends of candidates who really want
them to win have quit casting second
choice vote because it will probably
defeat their man. Thus we have built
up a great force of Single shooters"
Alabama, also, has this second choice
provision. Alabama has just gone
through a primary election; here is
what the Montgomery Advertiser has
to say in reference to 1.-The farce of
the second choice vote: I'VE have not
called in our expert accountant to as
certain the ratio of second choice votes
to first choice votes cast in the recent
primary in Alabama. Ours is ro-
mantle, rather than a statistical or
mathematical temperament, but we
know hawk from a handSaw. The
poorest figurer can see that less than
10 per cent of the voters cast a second
choice ballot Tuesday. The result is
that in practically all races where more
than two candidates sought the same
office, minority candidates were sue
cessful. Senator Underwood's major
ity is the outstanding exception.
People refuse to make a second
choice between candidates in the same
election. AS rule their interest is
centered on one man to whom they
prefer to give their undivided loyalty
and support. In another election at
another time when their favorite is no
longer before the people, voters will
look about for the next man who most
nearly represents their views and most
nearly meets their requirements.
Rightly or wrongly, the bulk of people
feel that to cast a second choice the
same day is to divide their loyalty and
weaken the force Of their support of
the first choice. Moreover, people not
only will no tvote for two favrites the
same day, but they will mt work for
two favorites in the same campaign.
People will do nothing to promote the
interests of their second choice be-.
cause they are primarily interested in
their first favorite. The candidate who
relies upon second choice votes is at a
at every turn because
there are so few people to talk for him
and make him popular.
1.-THE two-in-one primary is based
on pretty theory. It is an excellent
thing to devise a plan whereby the
state can be saved the expense and
turmoil of a second primary, if at the
same time the interests of good govern
ment can be served and the principle of
good government can be served and
the principle Of majority rule protected.
But it is theory which has not full
filled the promises of its enthusiastic
advocates. It works in the interest of
candidates. It fosters minor
ity government.
'Tn the recent election the new pri-
mary system had the best opportunity
it ever had to demonstrate its merits.
Who will say that it has not utterly
failed to justify the promises made in
It's behalf?"