IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO POLLING STATIONS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BALLOT
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Shelmerdine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patent, with his Petition, on the
5th June 1873.
I, THOMAS SHELMERDINE, the younger, of Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, Corporation Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO POLLING STATIONS TO
MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BALLOT," to be as follows:-
This Invention which relates to certain improvements in and applicable
to polling stations used for voting by ballot has for its objects,-
Firstly. Facility of erection and strength of construction; it can be
fixed in a few minutes and with ordinary wear and tear will last for
years.
Secondly. Ease of removal by folding or collapsing into a small
compass.
Thirdly. Secresy of voting.
Fourthly. Accomodation for one presiding officer, one clerk, four
personating agents, and six hundred voters, namely, one hundred and

page_text: A polling station constructed according to this Invention consists of
three distinct parts, namely,―
Firstly. A main screen or boarding consisting of three parts hinged or
jointed together, and which when unfolded forms three sides of a rect-
angular enclosure. The centre portion of this boarding is fitted with
folding or collapsible screens, which when in position form four polling
compartments, each compartment being fitted with a folding desk.
Secondly. Of a screen or boarding formed in three parts, hinged or
jointed together, and which when unfolded forms three sides of a second
rectangular enclosure for accomodating presiding officer and assistants.
Thirdly. In a folding or collapsible table which forms the fourth side
of the space enclosed for presiding officer and attendants. The enclosed
rectangular space is of such size so as to admit of its being placed inside
the first-mentioned screen or boarding, leaving room for an entrance
passage on the one side, and an exit passage on the other side, also a
space in front between the presiding officer's table and the polling com-
partments. The whole is bound and secured together by a sign or
denomination board lettered according to the requirements of the ballot
act.
The advantages attendant upon this construction of polling station
and fittings are that a large expenditure is saved at each successive
election, and the polling stations being portable simply require to be
brought out and refixed when required. The whole polling station may
be contained in a space of 12 feet 6 inches wide by 12 feet deep, and 6
feet 9 inches high.
In case of an election in a ward or district with say 3000 voters a large
hall, schoolroom, or shed having a sufficient are to accomodate the
necessary polling stations to accomodate 600 voters each can be entered
two or three hours previous to the election, and the polling stations can
be erected and at the conclusion of the election the whole of the stations
and fittings can be folded together and removed in a few minutes, and
stowed away until again required, thus securing an arrangement which
combines all the requirements of the ballot act with a convenient and
portable form of structure.