folded as to show the official indorsement on the back and outside of the ballot, and the ballot must be deposited with this indorsement uppermost, so that it may be seen by the judges. Three states[1] number the ballot, when it is presented for voting, with the voter’s number on the poll-book. In Colorado a black square is placed in the upper left-hand comer below the perforated line, and it is made the duty of the judges or clerks to write the number on the opposite side and paste down the comer which, except in a contested election, is not broken.
4. PENAL SANCTIONS
Various penal sanctions have been added to safeguard the purity of the ballot. These special safeguards usually provide for the punishment of any person who falsely makes, or wilfully alters, multilates, or destroys a certificate of nomination, or a nomination paper, or letter of withdrawal; of the printer or any person preparing the ballots who delivers such ballots to any person other than the officers lawfully entitled to receive the same; of any person who destroys or tears down or removes any nomination list, card of instruction, or specimen ballot; of any person who destroys or removes any supplies or conveniences for the marking of the ballot; of an elector who tries to remove the official ballot from the polling-place before the closing of the polls, or allows his ballot to be seen after he has marked it, or places any distinguishing marks on the ballot, or makes any false statement of his inability to vote; of any person who forges the official indorsement; of any election officer who reveals how an elector votes, or tries to influence him in his decision; or of any person who electioneers within a designated distance of the polling-place.[2]
- ↑ Texas, 1905, ch. 11 (extra session); Missouri, R. S. of 1909, sec. 5904; Colorado, 1901, ch. 72.
- ↑ For typical penal provisions see the West Virginia, Code, 1891, ch. 3; Indiana R. S., 1914; Massachusetts, 1907, ch. 560. A complete list of these safeguards would include the corrupt-practice acts, which are beyond the scope of this thesis.
