Evening star., 1951-10-16
Virginia Council
Favors Present
PrimaryDates
Comedies Earlier Time
Might Be Necessary
In Event of Runoff
By the Assoeiatsd Press

By the Asseeiatsd Press
RICHMOND, Va, Oct. 16.-Ii
there are reasons compelling
enough to change Virginia's time
honored primary dates the Vir-
ginia Advisory Legislative Coun-
Gil hasn't been able to uncover
them.
The council. studying the mat
ter at the direction of the last
session of the General Assembly
reported today that mo change
should be made unless new condi-
tions furnish stronger reasons
therefor" And the council had
this comment tt make in it's re-
port to the Governor and the as
sembly:
ut must be observed that there
is no ideal date for either primary
or general election. Voters use
any excuse for not exercising the
right of franchise whether it be
heat. rain, cold, drought or time
Of year. unless they are vitality
interested"
Run-off Suggested.
The council report conceded that
one possible piece of legislation now
possible piece of legislation now
on the horizon would make it
necessary to advance the primary
date into July from its present
Tuesday after the first Monday
in August.
This would be the matter of a
run-of primary where a candi-
date for Governor, for instance,
would have to face his nearest
competitor in a second election if
he failed to win a majority of
the votes on the first try. Gov.
Battle failed to win a majority
in a four-way primary race in
1949.
But on the matter of the ad-
visibility of the runoff primary
system for Virginia. the council
had no recommendations to make.
It said its Study Committee,
headed by Delegate Harry B. Davis
of Princess Anne, discussed the
matter of the runof at length and
came to the conclusion that the
language of the resolution which
ordered the study did not call for
recommendations on this phase of
the matter.
Accordingly, it added, no "for-
NAL consideration" was given to
the runoff.
Reasons for Earlier Date.
However, the council had to
take into consideration the posi-
bility that the runoff primary
might be added to the States elec-
tion laws. In such event. it said,
the August primary would have to
be held in July for these reasons:
'The August primary now legally
provides time for a contest. If
runod is added after the primary,
a periodic days to two weeks
should be allowed for notice of a
runoff to be given; then time for
the campaign is necessary; and
this period, together with the five
to six weeks which must be al
lowed for contests, would leave in
sufficient time, in case of contest,
for the winner to become a can
didate in the regular election"
The report took cognizance of
the possibility that the poll tax
as a prerequisite to voting could
be removed and in this case the
primary could be shifted to some
time in May. 1t noted, though,
that widening the gap between the
primary and the general election
in November "is not altogether
logical or desirable since it would
extend campaigns for office"
Poll Tax to Be Considered.
In holding earlier primaries the
State would have to consider the
constitutional requirements which
require payment of the poll tax
at least six months prior to the
November general election and the
filing. certification and posting of
these lists of "eligibles" by the
local officials.
On the basis of its committees
work-including a public hearing
in Richmond at which three nom
committee members put in an ap-
pearance-the council noted that:
No general sentiment is observed
under present conditions for
changing the dates of elections in
Virginia.
Other States Differ.
The experience in other States
is of little value since times for
holding the several types of elec-
tions are diverse and based upon
varying local conditions.
In directing that the council
make the study the General AS
sembly was moved by a desire to
find out why Virginia usually
casts a relatively small vote.
The council said fixed election
dates doesn't seem to be the
answer.
Rather, it indicated, give a voter
a hot issue and he'll go gut and
vote. Otherwise. the potential
voter will find plenty of reasons
for not voting.