Evening star., 1932-10-10
UNIFORM LAW NEED
C|TEDBY COSTELLO
Personal Appearance Ruling
in Many States Scored
by Committeeman.

The fragrant example of 10000 resi-
dents OF Washington being deprived of
the right to vote in their home States
on November stresses the need of
uniform laws governing absentee voting
in the United States, John F. Costello,
Democratic national committeeman, de-
clared in a communication to the Con-
ference of Commissioners of Uniform
State Laws, which was held here last
week.
Loss of Many Votes.
The lack of uniformity in the laws
governing absentee voting privileges in
rs States. which require personal ap-
pearance for either registering or voting,
or both, has resulted, he said, in loss
of thousands of votes.
Costello said he was concerned Specifi-
cally with the 10000 potential voters i'll
the District who are denied the right
OF franchise in the Nations Capital
10000 of whom he said had applied TO
his Office for help and advice in trying
to vote back home"
His communication, made public to-
day, reads as follows:
''As Democratic national committee
man for the District of Columbia and
in charge of the local headquarters OF
the Central Committee, have had oc-
casion to note the demoralizing effect
uuon thousands of voters residing in
this city because Of the lack of uni
fcrmity in the absentee voters laws in
the several States.
Citizens entitled to vote. who own
property and are taxpayers in their re-
spective States. men and women en-
ployed here who are sending home
money to assist relatives. are, during
these times of economic stress. denied
the right to exercise the highest privi-
lege and symbol of citizenship. No
funds for travelling or inability to take
leave without pay where personal ap-
pearance is required for registration or
voting, has been the cause of keen dis
appointment to many people.
About half of the States allow one
to register and vote by mail: few of
these have minor restrictions. Nearly
all of the remainder require personal
registration. The balance demand per-
sonal appearance for both registration
and voting.
Voters Turned Away.
Not less than 10000 voters reside
in this city. Already 10000 have ap-
piled at this Office for help and advice.
Many are turned away, disappointed,
because personal appearance is de-
manded. In no other community in
the United States is this condition so
marked. Residents Of the District of
Columbia evince great interest in home
State affairs. Nearly all States are rep
resented by societies where members
meet the homefolk and listen to speak
erS from their States.
1T is not assumed that this is a new
subject to your distinguished conference.
However. 1 feel, at this time, that
would be derelict in my responsibility
to thousands of citizens were I not to
bring this matter of vital Importance to
your notice. My specific concern is
the qualified voter Of Washington
Many States, through their public Of
ficials. have expressed sympathy for
citizens of this city who do not have
the right of franchise In no greater
nor salutary manner could the States
express consideration for the residents
Of the District of Columbia who are
entitled to vote, than by the passage
of uniform voting laws.
Il am sending to you, herewith. a
compilation Of the substance of the
law of each State. I sincerely hope
that this is a subject which the confer
cnce will consider in the category of
needful legislation"