Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-07

these acts and resolves. 1923-1925.
made all the corrections without there
being single instance Of error,
either in the original acts and re-
solves or in the printed volumes is
sued after the close Of the legislative
session. Every line Of this he read
and approved.
Were there no hurry ups for
special primaries and general cleo
tions Judge Smiths official life would
seem to be rather fuller Of detail
than is commonly ascribed to the
lives of our public officials. But, now
that we are about it, there may be
somewhat OF interest I'm considering
the work required under our election
laws
This year there was the regular
primary and the general election, at
which there was the largest distri-
button OF ballots in the history of the
State department on account of the
increase in the voting population
of the State and the distribution
being based on the number of ballots
cast in 1924 when the presidential
election called out very heavy vote.
Then came the special State wide
primary and general election caused
by the death of Senator Fernald at
which a number of ballots had to be
distributed, like to the number dis
tributed in the September election.
An unusual and very important
feature Of this work was the getting
out of material for the election OF
November 10Th in the limited period
between the primary and the follow
ing election. Here was the work
regularly done in period of three
months limited to four weeks, some
job! All this material to be handled,
printed, approved, packed and dis
tributed five days before election.
This was making record. 1t must
all be mapped out, step by step, and
that's what Judge Smith did.
While the main thing is to get the
ballots into the hands of the NUM-
cipal clerks there also is a feature
which probably is not generally ap-
preciated. There are the absent
voters to be considered; large ship
ment of the material to be followed by
the absent-voters' ballots must be sent
out. Another shipment to be attend
ed to is that of the lists of candidates
for posting Ia days before the day
of the election. These are required
to be mailed to every town clerk.
Another shipment of warrants calling
the meetings is made to the select
men and assessors of the towns and
plantations. Yet another detail con-
sists in getting out to all the news
papers of the State copies of the bal
lots to be printed as advertisements.
All this with innumerable details
must be carefully looked after.
Then comes the big job of counting.
inspecting. packing and shipping
100000 ballots to be distributed to
633 voting precincts, and all this
supposed to be done without error.
In all this. chances of mix-ups are
plentiful. Judge Smith has worked
out a system of packing under which
for the last eight elections there has
been but one instance of a town get
ting ballots not intended for it.
And this in addition to all the
other work, the automobiles, the
corporations. and so forth.
Is this of interest to the public?
Surely it is of interest to all those
who have to do with that branch of
the States activities over which
Judge Smith has supervision. The
Journals printing department, being
Of those Who have been privileged
to cooperate with him, is interested
to have the public understand the
excellent service that has been given
by this competent, Woodworking,
faithful State official.