Evening star., 1950-02-09
Arlington Group
Calls for Easier
Poll Tax Laws
Democrats Stress
Confusion Created
For New Residents

Arlington today recommended
that Virginia ease poll tax re-
quirements for new residents.
Harrison Mann, party chair
man, said a proposal submitted
to the State Electoral Board would
eliminate confusion for new resi-
dents trying to register as voters.
Virginia law requires one years
residence for voting eligibility. To
qualify, the new citizen now must
pay the current poll tax and show
a receipt for the previous years
tax, too.
Under the organization pro-
posal, he would be exempted from
the previous levy.
Newcomers Seldom Know.
Mr.. Mann pointed out that
newcomers seldom know of the
poll tax requirements. If their
presence in the State is unknown
to assessors when tax bills go out,
the new citizens receive no notice
of the poll tax.
Consequently. many don't un-
derstand why they are not per-
mitted to register as voters.
"The registrar is unable to add
their names to the voting list un-
til all requirements of the law are
met" Mr.. Mann said. THE new
resident becomes angry because
he has had no notice-and I don't
know that r blame him"
The poll tax relief is one of sew
eral recommendations indorsed by
the Democratic Executive Com
mittee and the Democratic Club
Of Arlington. Both groups acted
favorably upon a report by COM
mittee consisting of Jesse l..
Ward, jr., John w. Jackson, Mrs.
Grace Barrett, Robert Hilleary.
c. S. Shillinburg and William
Winston.
Party leaders are asking State
Senator Charles R. Fenwick, Del
egateS George Damn and j. May
nard Magruder to support re
medal" legislation covering the
recommendations. Legislation to
ease the poll tax laws is pending
at Richmond.
Second Proposal.
Under second proposal, county
electoral boards would be empow-
cred to fill all vacancies occurring
in the ranks of election judges
and clerks. This change also
would give that body the right to
appoint extra judges and clerks,
when needed, as is done in Vir-
ginia cities.
Chairman Mann said that as
long as Arlington does not have
voting machines, it will be neces-
sary to have extra judges and
clerks to handle the large number
of ballots. In some precincts, he
said. the election staffs require up
to "a hours to complete tabulat-
wing the votes at times. The Ar
lington County Board is consider
ing the installation of automatic
machines.
The county organization urged
that the State law spell out the
exact meaning of a provision re-
quiring polls to close at 6 pm.
Mr.. Mann said in Arlington, the
practice is to permit all persons
to cast ballots who are in precinct
lines by 6 pm. on election days.
In some communities, however,
judges allow no votes to be cast
after 6 pm, regardless of how
long citizens may have waited in
line.
Mr.. Mann said there is a posi-
bility that a legal ruling at some
future, date could upset the out
come of balloting, if the law re-
mains unclarified.
Other Recommendations.
These other recommendations
were made BY the Arlington
Democrats:
Amend the law to provide in
detail how registration shall be
effective and reword the law to
permit the use of specific regis
tration forms similar to those
being used by the Arlington GEN.
trail registrar.
Amend the law to permit clerks
as well as judges to handle bal
lots. Mr.. Mann said this, also
is intended to speed tabulations.
The executive committee op-
posed proposal to make election
fee payments uniform through
out the State, contending the
work of judges and clerks in rural
areas with light votes cannot be
compared with that of stats in
urban areas with heavy balloting