PREFACE. As no right is equal in importance, to a self-governing people, to the elective franchise, so nothing is more important to the citizen than a knowledge of the conditions. under which and the methods whereby the right may be exercised. There is hardly an election which does not give rise to some question concerning the qualification for suffrage the place where and the manner in which the citizen may vote, how the ballot must be counted, and the powers and duties of those who make the count. These questions have been adjudicated upon from time to time, but the adjudications are scattered through many volumes. The design of the present book is to state, and illustrate by explanatory quotations, within the pages of a single volume, and in a form intelligible to the general reader, the principles of these decisions, with references to cases which will serve the professional reader as a guide to the authorities on the subjects treated. TRENTON, N. J., May, 1880. |