Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-09-26
THE POTENT FORCE.

BY the provisions OF our admirable |
Primary Election law-about the only |
real sane and practical one in the |
country-voting at primary elections |
In this State is restricted to those
who register during the first three OF |
the Ave days set apart for registration |
for the general election. These three |
days. however, AFFORD ample opportu-
nifty, as three days would be sufficient |
for the entire registration. All voters
who feel an interest in the selection Of
candidates for their party tickets make
il a point to become registered during
these three days, and until this year
the invariable result has been that
large majority OF citizens entitled to
registration attended to this matter
during the first three days, In order
to be qualified for primary election
voting.
This year. however. there has been
a remarkable indifference to registra-
ton in this city. the total for three days
being about $4,000 in round numbers.
When it is recalled that the total vote
In Wilmington at the Presidential
election of 1920 was about $4,000, the
falling off in voting interest is really
remarkable, There is still one moro
day for stration-Saturday, Oc-
tober 21--but it will be a surprise If
more than 5000 names are added to
the lists that day. This would make
a qualified voting body Of about as
600. in comparison with more than
$4,000 votes cast at the election two
years ago. very radical reduction.
The primary elections Of both the
leading political parties have been
held in New Castle county, and it is
interesting to compare the voting re-
suits with the registration figures.
They will be found very interesting
and also highly significant.
Primary election voting is confined
to those who become registered during
the first three days, and the total Of
this primary registration, as we have
said, is about $4,000. This represented
the full possible voting strength of
both parties at their primaries.
At the Republican primaries, Sep
tember 8. which were attended by
several exciting contests involving
factional domination, and therefore
inciting to vigorous work to bring
out every possible voter, the total
vote in Wilmington was 1873.
At the Democratic county primaries,
last Saturday afternoon, which were
attended by no contests that appealed
to the enthusiasm Of the voters, the
total vote in Wilmington was S,3oS
II will be noted that the total vote
in Wilmington at both these party
primary contests was 14,461. The total
registration for the first three days
which comprised the entire qualified
vote for primary elections, was about
$4,000. So here is evidence that more
than 5000 citizens of Wilmington who
were fully qualified for primary elec.
ton voting refrained from participa.
ton in the primary contest of either
political party.
Those who become registered at tn,
fifth and final day for the purpose
Saturday. October 81, whether thei
number be large or small, also vii
comprise citizens who were entirel.
Indifferent TO primary election voting
These final registrations, which ma.
add but two or three thousand to tn
present total, or may swell it TO rea
sonably full proportions, will be o
the same class as these eight thousan
or more who could have voted at tn
primaries but did not-voters who vii
not be restricted by the party obi
cation of primary voting in castin
their ballots at the November election
And TO this total may be added tn
1000 who registered on the fourth da,
too late 10 qualify for primary voting
This small army of independent vot
ers. which in Wilmington may be rea
sonably set down as numbering 10
900 and may be increased by the fin;
registration to 10000, will be the dc
termining factor at the election in Nc
vember. Its members will be objects (
the anxious solicitude Of the workin