The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1938-02-17
G. O. P. Asks Changes
In Election Laws
Shorter Campaigns and Primary
In September
Urged

sofa electlOn laws were recOm-
mended by a Republican party del
egation which appeared Friday aft
ernoon before a subcommittee OF
the Legislative Interim Committee
on Election Laws at the Capitol.
Changes urged by the three-man
committee, headed by Chester s.
Wilson of Saltwater, include:
Move the primary election date
from June to September, and make
the deadline for filings not more
than 80 days nor less than 40 days
before the primary, which would
shorten political campaigns by
three or four months.
Repeal the law providing for
a consolidated primary ballot, pass
ed in 1888, and tighten provisions
to stop jumping Of party lines either
by candidates or voters.
Repeal the present statute giving
party nominees authority to appoint
party state central committees and
leave it to each party to set up its
own form Of party organization.
Other members of the Repub-
Ecan committee are S. B. Wenner-
berg of Center City and Peter s.
Rask of Minneapolis. Representa-
tive Claude H. Allen of st. Paul,
chairman Of the interim subcom-
nittee, and William M. Parker of
Sank Centre. Republican state
chairman, appeared before the
group with Mr.. Wilson.
Moving the primary to Septem-
Der would "be a great relief to the
long-suffering public as well as to
candidates" Mr.. Wilson said. with
the swift means of transportation
and communication now available,
three months Is ample time for a
primary campaign, and two months
additional for a general election
campaign.
I'm the interest of integrity and
responsibility for both candidates
and voters, the iniquitous blanket
primary ballot law now in force
should be repealed, and the pro-
vision for separate party ballots
should be restored.
"At the same time the require
ments for declaration of party af-
filiations in connection with filing
Of candidates and issuing of party
ballots should be frightened. So
far as party candidates are con-
cerned. the primary is party at
fair, and it should not be made a
free-for-all scramble.
Unless a voter Is "a member of a
recognized party and is willing to
wear his colors, he has no business
to file as a candidate or to vote fol
party candidates at a party pri.
mary. Ample opportunity is pro
vided for independent candidates
or candidates of new parties to file
by petition.
Such candidates should not be
permitted to masquerade under
party labels on primary ballots, nor
should promiscuous crossing Of par
ty lines be allowed. The practice is
demoralizing, and is likely to prove
a boomerang to those who follow
It,"
Mr.. Wilson said his committee
has not reported to the party state
committee, but that he believes its
recommendations represent the ma
jority sentiment of the party.
Statutes covering party organiza-
ton should be amended, Mr.. Will
son said, 80 as to authorize the
selection of committees in such
manner as the respective party may
determine for themselves, thus le-
galizing party administration by Of
ficers and committees representing
the members of the parties rather
than the candidates"
The committee also urged provi-
sion for a periodical survey Of cleo
ton precincts, and redistricting II
needed, central vote counting or
provision for extra election judges
and clerks in counties where vot-
ing machines are not used and
amendment to permit filing Of q
candidate by petition in the event
one of the two nominees for a non
partisan office withdraws or dies
between the primary and general
election. Under the present statutes,
no candidate can file by petition II
one candidate nominated at the pri.
mary remains on the ballot.
At the suggestion Of the interim
committee, Mr.. Parker and Mr.. VIII
son said they will take UP with par
ty leaders the proposal, which the
interim group has been consider.
ing, that law setting up minimum
requirements for precinct caucuses,