Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-15
ny G. GOULD LINCOLN.
- YITH the thirty-sixth state
necessary to complete the
ratification of the wom-

al Suu1 dSC SohSeAS~S
amendment almost within their grasp
the woman suffragists are concerned
because some of the women in the
country may not be able to vote IN
November. even after ratification.
To qualify as voters, the women
must be registered properly and theil
poll taxes must have been paid. IN
conformity with the state laws re-
xarding registration and poll taxes
In the majority OF the states the
registration date is not more tnan
thirty days prior to the election DAY
which is November 2 this year. In
a number of states the registration
date is even later.
But in several Of the states where
full suffrage has not previously been
granted the time for registration or
for paying the poll taxes already has
gone by. For instance, in Arkansas
the poll tax (which is 50 was paid
April 10. There is no other registra-
ton. Women have been allowed TO
participate in primary elections in
Arkansas, and those who have paid
their poll taxes in order to take part
in the primaries undoubtedly would
be eligible to vote in November if the
Suffrage amendment goes through
finally.
In Alabama registration closes jan
uary 5. and the poll taxes 91.5O
are paid February 1. Special regis
tration may be authorized. however,
up to sixty days before the election.
The registration closed in Georgia
six months before the election. which
made the last day May 2.
In Maine. where the elections come
in September. and not in November.
as in the rest Of the states. registra-
ton closes thirty days before the cleo
ton day. The women there already
vote for President. but not for MEM
beers of Congress. 1t is likely. how
ever. that, in view of their presiden-
tial suffrage, the women will be regis
tered in that state.
Registration in Mississippi closed
four months before election day, or
July 2. The poll taxes $50 were
paid February 1.
Rhode Island closed it's re. .stration
June 30. In that state the women
have been privileged to vote for Pres
ident, though not for members of Con-
gress, governor, etc. But 1t Is be-
lieved that the women will have
registered in large numbers. SO that
they could take part in the election
Of President and Vice President
North Carolina, while placing its
registration date ten days before the
election, connpels the payment of the
POLL tax of 81 on May /.
In South, CAROLINA, the registration
closes thirty days before the elections,
but the poll tax (s2) must have been
paid six months before the elections.
Texas pays the poll tax (s1.75) jan
uary 81. But the Lone Star state
the women are admitted to the pri-
maries and probably have been regis
tered in large numbers.
The poll tax in Virginia ESQ cents)
must have been paid six months prior
does not close untiLthirty days before
the election.
Renedial Action Necessary.
In these states, therefore, it will be
necessary either to call the legisla-
lures together and pass enabling acts.
permitting the registration Of the
women and the payment Of their poll
taxes 1T later dates. or to obtain
executive action, which will permit
them to do SO. Virginia and Missis-
sippi, however, has already passed
enabling acts looking out for the
women in case the suffrage amend
ment is ratified. It was found that for
other reasons four Of the other states
had to pass enabling acts and they
have done so-North Dakota. Mime
sofa, Massachusetts and Maryland.
The Georgia legislature, which turned
down the suffrage amendment months
ago, is in session again, and bill
enabling the women Of that state to
register and vote If the constitutional
amendment is ratified is pending be-
fore the legislature.
The non-sunrage states not hither-
to mentioned, and the dates upon
which registration closes in those
ot6SSS al Q 80 ASAaS"S'
Connecticut, october 4.
Delaware. October 16.
- louisiana, October 2.
Maryland. October S and s.
Massachusetts,. October 10.
New Hampshire. IL am, the night
before election.
New Jersey. October 10.
New Mexico, October %.
North Carolina, October %.
Ohio. october 1s.
Pennsylvania. October 2.
South Carolina, October 2.
Vermont, none required.
West Virginia, october 26 and q.
If by any chance the ratification OF
the constitutional amendment by the
ty-sixth state should be delayed
until after October Is there would be
many ,of the non-suffrage states in
which the women would not be reg.
istered, and some scurrying arount
would be necessary to have every.
thing shipshape for the women t.
take part in the elections of Presi
d. dent and Vice President. and fol
members Of Congress and the state
officers.
Twenty-Seven States Take Action.
But the women who have been lead
ing the fight for the constitutions
amendment are not leaving any stone
unturned to have every American
woman Of age and otherwise entitled
to vote under the amendment priv.