Evening journal., 1920-09-10
n. Y. women
TAKE TO VOTING
Not Disorganized When
Newly Enfranchised Ex-
ercised Privilege
SCHOOL HOUSES
AS ELECTION BOOTHS

NEW YORK. Sept io.-vhen suf-
fraee was extended 10 New York
women two years ago, election o1l-
cisls here anticipated enormous diii-
Guilty In handling a vote double me
size the existing machinery Was ac-
rnStomed 10. They f0resaW mat me
facilities would have to be greatly en-
larced for the influx OF new voters
10 saw nothing OF the confusion llkely
90 attend upon the comlg OF uie
noVices 10 The polls
The results did not justify iheir an
ticipations. but their course OF actioh
Is Of especial interest now thal the
problem presents itself anew 10 Mary,
land and other cOmmOnWealihs all
over the United States.
Tho first step taken in Manhattan
was the creation of 500 new election
districts between the date OF the prl-
mary and that Of the general election
This action was attended by particular
dimculty and enlailed very heavy eN-
A large number Of additional regis
iration places had 10 be provided. DC
cupied stores had previously Deen
used for this purpose. A sunlcient
number could not be obtained because
OF ihe unwillingness OF The slorekeep-
ers 10 lease their premises, as they
feared that their business would De
interfercd with by the heavy regis
iraiion which all thought would iol-
low the onfranchisement or women
The board found u necessary 10
make use OF i0i vacant places ana also
10 erect 31 street booths IN districts
In which no stores were available
a. IL q
The election law OF New YORK re-
olires that the public copy OF the
register be opened for inspection be-
tween registration and general cleo
lion. and 1876 watchmen had TO be
employed as custodians In vacant
stores and street booths for a period
Of % days. This item OF expense
amounted 10 Si25i2.
10 was also necessary 10 construcl
"a additional street booths at a cost
of s5.395 to which should be added
the cost OF transportation TO and from
siorehouses. and Of erecting and TAX
ing them down. which was about
prior to the enfranchlsement OF
women there were as polling places
IN Manhattan. This number was in
creased TO q5i for the accommodation
Of the new army Of novice voters.
As for the number OF men employed
al the polling places-aside from tn
watchmen-ihe personnel remains tn
same. Four canvassing inspectors
two poll clerks and two ballot clerk
at each place.
Such were the Preparations. Tn
figures for the vote were hardly
proportion with them. In 1916, 2JO
BOO men voted In the borough
Of Manhattan. In 1918. at The flr'
election in which women participate
the vote for Governor was $4,000
instead Of the 10000 which migi
have been anticipated.
This year the Board OF Election
will be able again TO make use OF u
public schools as polling places lt
commissioners attribute This fact
part. 10 the efforts OF the fema
voters 10 obtain more select plac
than heretofore.
No change in the machinery wi
be made this year. 10 is not believe
that a much larger number OF womt
will turn out for the PRESIDENT
election than came out FOR the ~
election. This belief is based ups
The assumption that they will be I
more Interested IN this years bait
than In the Goyernorship light whi'
was unusually hot.
Neither will any change be made
the counting OF The vote lnspeclo
count the ballots after the polls ha
closed for the Nay. which Is s
O'Clock for the general elections. On
ing to the method OF "loiem Votln
one mark after the party emblc
obtaining In New York, the count
made much quicker than In Maryla
where each ballot is scanned and {
vote registered for each candida
separately.
In Rochester and In some sml
towns Of the state voting machin
are used At the close OF the d
tellers representing opposing parti
open the machi1cs which auloma
cally have registered the results.