Evening star., 1955-11-08
Citizens Urged
To Register for
Party Elections
Leeol Bolloting Muy
VIII Be Districts
First in 81 Years
BY JOHN v. HORNER

4 :"
ltions called on residents Of
washington today to demon
lstrate their interest in civic af-
fairs by qualifying to vote in the
political party elections sched-
luled for May /.
With enthusiastic backing Of
g group of civic leaders. the Elec-
ltions Board urged Washingto-
Inians to acquaint themselves with
1.-THE new law giving them the
fright Of legal ballot for the first
itime in o2 years, and pleaded for
prompt registration when the
books are opened early in De-
lcember.
At q public hearing in the
District Building, the board re-
lceiyed q number Of suggestions
intended to simplify the regis
Itration procedure and attract q
large number of registrants.
Seek Simple Procedure
| I'VE want as simple and easy
la registration process as pos
asible," Chairman Newell w. e.
llision told the citizens. I'VE are
working hard to make this con-
lvenient. We want aslarge regis
ltration.
1 Under the recent act Of Con-
lgress. District residents who dc
mot vote In the States may par
Ilticipate In either Democratic on
Republican Party elections tc
ldetermirie membership Of the
local party committees. delegates
land aIternates ID the national
political conventions. and who
lshall represent the District on
lthe two national committees.
The Democratic and Repub-
llican elections win be conducted
simultaneously.
i In order to determine who Il
lqualified to vote locally, citizens
lmust register. The central reg
listration ofiice at the District
Building will be opened the first
tweek In December. Later neigh
Iborhood registration points win
Ibe established. The entire job
must be completed by April IS.
Assistance Offered
There were numerous offers Of
assistance for the Elections
Board. which Is pressed for time
Ibut has no funds with which tc
Ioperate. Congress Is expected tc
make an appropriation for the
board In January or February.
/ Organizations pledging 70 heir
stimulate interest In the registra-
ltion and voting procedures irs
icluded the League OF Women
Voters. the Federation OF Cit
liens Associations, the Fedora
ftiou of Civic Associations. the
washington Board of Trade, the
lcOmmittees of the Republican
land Democratic Parties, the
Americans for Democratic Action,
1.-THE CIO-PAC and an American
Legion post.
i Several persons ct the hearins
suggested the use Of iirehouses
las neighborhood registration
points, but George Butler, speak
ling for the Federation Of Civic
associations, objected. He said
lthe process would be disrupted
Iby ire alarms and he objected
for "other reasons" not specified.
/ J. G. Turner, vice chairman oi
1.-THE Democratic State Central
Committee. said perhaps q com.
lbinatiol Of elementary schools
land firehOuses would be more
convenient.
i Mrs. s. q. English Of the
League Of Women Voters raised
Questions regarding the effect ol
1.-THE Hatch act on District citi.
lzens participating in the locaI
election. The act strictly regu-
Iiates Federal employe activities
lin political campaigns.
Chairman Ellison said o rul.
ling win be obtained on this ques-
ition, which also attracted dis
lcussion by several others at the
hearing.
/ Mr.. Ellison promised that pre-
lcincts will be established with
great care. and fairly. This step
cannot be taken. however. until
lregistration is well under way. ;
| Sturgis Warner. an authority
lon election procedures, who has
lbeen advising the board. ex-
Iplained the registration form
ftempOrarily arpruved.