, 1923-01-26
Stepping ForUmd.

THERE is to be submitted to the present leg1sia-
- ture of Wyoming a proposal for the amend
ment, or rather the enlargement, of the election
laws of the state, by a provision for counting
fudees. So that the results of election held by the
people may be known in all parts of the state with
in a few hours after the last ballot has been cast
AS the measure is drawn it changes the present
election machinery in but few features, does not
4nesease the cost, but simply modernizes the pres
emit verv satisfactory manner of receiving and dc
cixriur the official result, by giving to the public
and persons interested the knowledge at a much
earlier hour.
Az at present administered, judges and clerks are
forbidden to open a locked ballot box before the
final ballot is cast in a voting precinct TINS
brings the entire work of counting and tabulattng
the vote which has been cast during the whole day
upon the election officials, all in a heap. And in
the case of scratched ballots or an exceedingly long
ballot, as is the case in state or presidential elec-
tions the work is tremendous and occupies all night
and in many cases FAR into the succeeding day. In
these cases the result remains in doubt for sew
eral DAYS. Last November's election is a good
illustration. By the failure of prompt returns the
govcrnorship was switched first to one candidate
and then to the other for several days by the ar
rival of slowly counted returns The situation gave
rise to suspicious and ugly charges.
The present proposal is to expedite knowledge all
people have a right to possess at the earliest mo
ment possible. There is nothing entirely new IN
il, and nothing at all revolutionary. 1t simply au-
thorizcs the appointment of two expert counting
judges of opposite politics to make hourly count
and tabulatiOn of the vote as cast to keep the work
up to date while the regular board of judges and
clerks receive and check the vote as it goes into the
ballot box. This keeps the tabulation up to the
hour, and when the polls are closed there is but
the one hour of b~alloting TO be tabulated. These
late votes are quickly canyassed and added to the
work already accomplished with the very desirable
outcome that the result throughout the state is
known before midnight on election day instead OF
enduring a suspense covering several days and Civ
ing rise to suspicious of fraud.
The measure is designed wholly in the interest
of obtaining facts which the people desire to know
and have a right to learn promptly. 1t rebuilds ma
chinery already in existence by replacing old and
outworn parts with 1923 accessorics.
The only argument advanced against the proposed
change is that it would admit of persons inter
ested in the result of an election learning of the
trend of voting and making a lasthour rally in an
attempt to change the forecast result. This Of
course, lacks seriousness and knowledge OF election
Ger is forbidden to dtyulge any information in con
nection with an election in progress under drastic
penalties and he would be amenable, ofcoursc, I'M
der the proposed change as we'll
The cost Of tho two counting judges is saved in
the sum now paid the regular judges for the work
next day when they arc physically unfit for the
duty.
The proposal has great merit is cordially TN
d0rsed by the press of the state and leading citizens
everywhere 1t ought to have a strong appeal TO
those who hold public office and prospective candi,
dates as well.
By all means, the present legislature should pass
this measure ON its claim TO advancement and ou
The ground Of supplying public information when
IL is desired.