Evening star., 1947-11-02

diction adjudged as insane or other
wise mentally incompetent, who
have reached their 21st birthday
prior to the date of election. and
who are citizens of the United
States.
It should be noted that this rec
ommendation does not bar any per-
son from voting in local elections
by reason of sex, race, religion,
wealth, literacy, ward residence,
or other voting residence. AS one
witness put it, "the privileges OF
citizenship should be equal to its
obligations"
Extension OF suffrage to all per-
sons who have resided III the Dis
trict for one year. whether or not
they maintain a residence elsewhere
for voting purposes, was q recon-
nendation made by several wit
nesses who had studied the problem
There Is precedent for this In Mary
land, where towns allow persons to
acquire residence for local voting
purposes while maintaining resi-
dence In another state for state and
national voting.
Dual Voting Plan.
Witnesses pointed out that the
operation of apportionment OF civil
service lists and the natural desire
for congressional sponsorship result
in maintenance of State residence by
many Federal career workers in
Washington. Such workers would
not forgo their State residence in
favor of District residence. Further
more, the proponents of this dual
voting plan point out that District
residents are barred by the Constitu-
ton from voting for members of
| Congress or for President of the
United States. Thus, 1t would be
impossible for a person voting in a
State election and in the District to
vote twice for the same set of can
didateS.
Recommendation. - That all can
didates for elective office should
meet the requirement for electors
and must have resided in the Dis
trict for three years prior to the cleo
ton. Such candidates should be
deemed nominated upon presenta-
ton to a board of elections OF a
petition signed by 500 persons In
the District OF Columbia who. prior
to the first election, meet the quail
hcations for electors and who,
subsequent to the first election, are
registered voters OF the District. No
member Of Congress should be a
candidate for elective Office.
Board Of Elections.
Recommendation. That tn e
Board of Elections consist of four
qualified electors of the District of
Columbia appointed by the chair
man. of the Joint Standing Com
mittee with the approval Of the
Joint Standing Committee. for four
year terms, with the term of one
member expiring each year. Mem
bers of the Board of Elections
should be compensated for.work ac-
tually performed at the rate of SIS
per day, not to exceed $1,000 in any
one year for each member.
Registration Of Voters.
recommendation. That tn e
Board of Elections maintain per-
manent registry of the qualified
voters of the District by voting dis
tricts. TWO weeks in advance of a
general or special election the reg
istry should be open for the addi-
ton of new voters. Once every 10
years there should be a complete
reregistration to purge the list of
persons no longer qualified as voters.
= -
Time of Elections.
Recommends tion.-That every two
years in odd-numbered years there
be general elections for all elective
positions in the government Of the
District, as follows: -.-
(a) The first Tuesday after the
first Monday in June for members
OF the Board of Public Education
for terms beginning the following
July of the same year.
(b) The first Tuesday after the
first Monday in November for
members of the District Council
whose terms of Office begin jan
uary of the following year.
The Board of Elections may call
special elections in even-numbered
years to fill vacancies for unexpired
terms, but such special elections
must be held at the same times as
in odd numbered years and only for
vacancies where the unexpired term
is year or more from the following
July ins the case of the Board Of
Public Education or year or more