NOTICES OF ELECTION

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New York provides that state elections shall come in the even-numbered and in the larger cities municipal elections in the odd-numbered years (279) so that the issues may be kept distinct.

The general election in New York and many other states occurs on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November (149). This is in leap-years the day of the presidential election, and has been adopted in many counties for the town-meetings (see page 31).

Notice of election is sent by the secretary of state to all county clerks at least 3 months before each general election, stating the day and naming each state officer to be voted for; and the notice, with corresponding notice of the election of local officers, is published by the county clerk newspapers designated.

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Special elections may be held only upon. due public notice.

The voting-places or polls (from low German polle, meaning head, hence person, and hence place where voting is done) are appointed at convenient places in each election district (see page 48), and are open from 6 A. M. to 5 P. M.2

The usual manner of voting is by ballot (from French ballotte a little round ball, still commonly used in voting for candidates for clubs).

1232:1901. 2 654:1901.

There are other ways of voting, as by the voice, or viva voce (Latin, by the living voice), where those in favor are called upon to say aye, and afterward those opposed to say no. English members of parliament were elected in this way until 1871. But this is suitable only in small meetings, as the fewer in number may shout the louder and seem to be more numerous.

Another way is by show of hands, or by standing, those in favor and those opposed being called in turn and the numbers counted.

Both of these methods require all the voters to be present at the same time, while by the ballot the voting may extend over a long period.

Both of them involve open voting, which may lead a man to vote against his convictions, to oblige a friend, not to offend an employer, or to earn a bribe. The ballot is therefore a protection to the timid, and, if really secret, a defence against corruption. It was provided for in some of the colonial charters, and is now almost universally required.

New York requires that except for certain town officers (see page 31) election must be by ballot, "or by such other method as may be prescribed by law, provided that secrecy in voting be preserved" (134).

By the original ballot system, separate tickets for the various offices were prepared and dis

tributed by the candidates or the parties, and dropped by the voter into a box. This did not ensure secrecy. The ballots for the different candidates could sometimes be distinguished; and a briber who had given a voter a ticket could watch him till he deposited that very ticket in the box. 1

The Australian2 ballot used in New York has these advantageous features: (1) A stall is provided for the voter, where he may cast his vote in secrecy,—at least one stall for every 75 voters, and in which no voter is allowed to remain more than 5 minutes, so that there may be plenty of time to vote;

(2) The names of all the candidates nominated by all the parties are printed on a single ticket, so that the voter can choose freely and intelligently;

(3) The ballots are provided at public expense, so that there is no advantage to a wealthy party, and no excuse for levying assessments upon candidates. 3

The form of the Australian ballot is shown on page 169, where it is used in a voting machine. The names of all candidates are printed on a single large sheet, those of each party arranged in a column, with the emblem of the party over it or at the left-hand side.

1 B ii. 136, 138. 2 So called because first used there. 3 B ii. 135.

Those shown are the eagle (republican), the star (democrat), the workman's arm (labor), the fountain (prohibition), the clover (people's), the ship (national democrat), and the anchor (independent reform).

On the ballot a large circle is placed over its party emblem, and the voter may vote the "straight ticket", that is for all the candidates of his party, by marking a cross in this circle.

If he wishes to "split" his ticket, that is to vote for some candidates of one party and some of another, he puts a cross before each name for which he desires to vote. The voter receives the ballot folded and gives it back folded in the same way, so that it can not be seen how he has voted.

Voting machines are authorized by congress and by the laws of many states. In New York three voting machine commissioners1 are appointed by the governor for a term of 5 years. One of them must be an expert in patent law, and two mechanical experts. When they have examined a voting machine and reported to the secretary of state that it may be safely used, it may be adopted at elections. Where this is used no ballot clerks are elected.

The form usual in this state is as follows:

1 466:1899.