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Registration application-contents

Oath. The applicant swears (or affirms) that he will fully and truly answer all questions put to him relating to residence, name, place of birth, qualifications as a voter and right to register and vote (§ 21).

A registrar shall ask the questions and fill in the replies in the registry book, after which applicant shall sign his name in registry book (§ 23 (d)).

Record of registration.-The name and age of every applicant shall be entered in the registry book, and all the facts of his application shall be stated therein whether he be entitled to vote or not. If it shall be determined by the board that he is not a qualified voter in the precinct or district, then an entry shall be made in the appropriate column "no," and a line shall be drawn in red ink through his name and through all other entries on the line on which his name is written, but so that the name and said other entries shall remain legible. If loose-leaf pages or cards are used, paper notation shall be made thereon that applicant is not a qualified voter, instead of using the red line (§ 23 (c)). Registry books shall be kept permanently by board of supervisors of elections (§ 25). The following information shall appear in the registry book (§ 23):

1. Address.

2. Name.

3. Party affiliation.-Applicant may decline to state, but he will be ineligible to vote in a primary (§§ 58, 63). Affiliation may be made by mail (§ 38 (c)), as amended by Laws of 1960, Ch. 28), but no change may be made during the 6 months preceding a primary (§ 38 (a), § 28).

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4. Age.

5. Nativity.

6. Color.

7. Term of residence.

8. Citizenship.-If naturalized, when and where.

Appeals. Any person aggrieved at any action of a board of registry, may ap peal to the circuit court of his county or the Superior Court of Baltimore City. Court shall dispose of matter summarily. Appeal shall be to Court of Appeals (§ 46; Supp. § 46).

Penalty for violations.-If any person shall falsely personate another and shall register or vote in the name of such person, or shall register or vote under a fictitious name, or in two election precincts, or in an election precinct to which he has no legal right, or shall attempt to do any of these acts, or shall do or aid another to do any unlawful act to secure registration for himself or for another, or to prevent the lawful registration of another, he shall be punished by imprisonment in jail or in the penitentiary for not less than 6 months nor more than 5 years (§ 173).

Any person who shall be convicted of willfully and corruptly swearing or affirming any oath or affirmation prescribed in the election law shall be guilty of perjury and shall be punished according to the laws of the State (§ 184).

If any person who shall have been convicted of bribery, felony or other infamous crime under the laws of Maryland, or of any other state, and who has never received a pardon for such offiense, thereafter attempt to vote at any election, he shall be guilty of a felony and for each offense shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary from 1 to 5 years (§ 186).

If any person shall willfully disobey any lawful command of any board of registry or judge of election, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for from 30 days to 6 months or by a fine of from $10 to $250, or by both. Any misdemeanor under the election law for which no penalty is provided shall be punished in this manner (§ 187).

Irregularities in the mode of conducting an authorized registration or election shall not constitute a defense to a prosecution for a violation of the provisions of the election law (§ 200).

MASSACHUSETTS

Unless otherwise designated, references are to General Laws Annotated, 1958, and to 1960 Supplement thereto, Chapter 51.

Voters qualifications (Supp. § 1; Const. Amend., Art. 3)

Age.-21 years by election (also § 46).

Citizenship.-Must be citizen of the United States.

Residence.-1 year in State, 6 months in city or town next preceding election. A person who has moved to another city or town within the Commonwealth less than 6 months before election, may vote for National and State officers in his old city or town.

Literacy.-Unless physically disabled, must be able to read 5 lines of the Constitution of Massachusetts in English, to be drawn from box by applicant, and to write his name (also § 44).

Disqualified for voting (Supp. §1; Const. Amend., Art. 3)

1. Paupers. No veteran shall be disqualified because of receiving aid from a city or town or because of being exempted by Chapter 59, § 5, from assessment of a poll tax (Supp. § 1). (See this section for strict definition of which persons are not to be considered paupers.)

2. Persons under guardianship.

3. Persons to be disfranchised for 3 years who were found guilty of corrupt practices in respect to elections (Ch. 55, § 37).

Registration

Registration period.-To be prescribed by city ordinance or town bylaws; but must hold at least 1 session on last day of registration. No registration for 32 days before election and 1 day after election (Ch. 51, §§ 26-28).

Registration is permanent for persons voting at every election (§§ 37, 41A). Applicant must appear in person (§ 42). Physically disabled persons may be registered at their homes by registrars delegated to call on them (§ 42A; as amended by Acts of 1961, Ch. 130). Members of Armed Forces may be registered by personal appearance before board of registrars in any other city or town not less than 3 days before the primary or election (§ 50).

Registration application-contents

Oath.-Examination of applicants by registrar shall be under oath (§§ 33, 44). Records of registration.-The registrars shall preserve all written applications, complaints, certificates and affidavits received by them, and all other documents in their custody relative to listing and registration, for 2 years (§ 41). Information to be entered in general register shall include (§ 36):

1. Date when registered.

2. Name.

3. Signature of applicant (see also § 44).

4. Residence January 1 or subsequent date. 5. Age.

6. Place of birth.

7. Occupation and place of occupation.

8. If naturalized, proof of same (also § 45).

9. Residence at date of registration.

10. Remarks containing other identification particulars.

Penalty for violations

False oath.-Whoever knowingly makes a false affidavit or signs a false certificate, or aids another to do so, relative to qualifications of any persons for registration shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year (Ch. 56, §§ 6, 7).

Illegal registration.-Whoever registers or attempts to register in a place where he is not a qualified voter, or under a name other than his own, or gives a false answer respecting any matter relating to his right to register or vote, or otherwise illegally registers, or aids another to do so shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year (Ch. 56, § 8).

Misconduct at registration.-Whoever refuses to obey the lawful orders of an election commissioner or registrar or disturbs the registration proceedings shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 (Ch. 56, §9).

Illegal voting.-Whoever knowing that he is not a qualified voter in any place willfully votes therein, or votes more than once in his name or in any name other than his own or in more than one precinct, or casts more than one ballot, or attempts to do any of these acts or aids another to do same shall be punished by imprisonment for from 6 months to 1 year (Ch. 56, §§ 26, 28).

MICHIGAN

Unless otherwise designated, references are to Stats. Ann., 1956 Revision, and 1959 Supplement.

Voters' qualifications (Const. of Michigan, Art. III, §1; Stats. Ann. § 6.1492) Age. At least 21 years by election.

Citizenship.-Must be citizen of the United States or inhabitant of Indian descent native of United States.

Residence.-6 months in State, 30 days in city or township prior to next election. A registered qualified elector who shall move into another city or township in this State within 30 days before election may vote in his old city or township.

Residence is not lost by reason of employment in service of the United States (Const. Art. III, § 2).

Registration

Registration is permanent (§ 6.1497), subject to cancellation for failure to vote for 4 years. Any city or township of 20,000 or more inhabitants may provide for cancellation for failure to vote within a period of 4 years. Any city, village or township may provide for cancellation for failure to vote within 2 years (Supp. § 6.1509).

Applicant must appear in person (§ 6.1499), except that physically disabled persons and persons absent from their residence may register by mail (§ 6.1504). Registration application-contents

Oath.-Applicant shall execute a registration affidavit and shall take an oath before the town clerk that the statements therein, which he has answered and the clerk has entered on a card, are true and shall sign registration affidavit. If application is rejected, card shall be destroyed (Supp. § 6.1499).

The affidavit shall contain the following information (§ 6.1495):

1. Name, address, birthplace.

2. Citizenship, proof of if naturalized.

3. Age.

4. Residence.

Literacy-not required.-If applicant is unable to write, he shall execute the affidavit by making his mark and there shall be noted on his registration card the month, day, and year of his birth and any other identifying information which shall be used in identifying said person (§ 6.1500). The registration officers may employ an interpreter for the more perfect examination of the applicant (Supp. § 6.1499).

Record of registration.—If application is rejected the clerk shall destroy the card of the applicant (Supp. § 6.1499).

Penalty for violations

Misdemeanors.-The following offenses shall be deemed misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment in county jail for not more than 90 days, or both (§§6.1931, 6.1934):

Violations of the election act, for which no specific penalty is provided (§ 6.1931 (r));

Falsely impersonating another, and voting or attempting to vote under the name of another or inducing or attempting to induce another to do so (§ 6.1931 (f));

Assuming a false or fictitious name in order to vote or to register, or inducing another to do so (§ 6.1931 (h));

Offering or attempting to vote in precinct in which he does not reside or aiding another to do so (§ 6.1931 (i)) ;

Offering or attempting to vote more than once at same election or giving two or more ballots folded together (§ 6.1931 (j));

Making of material false statement in answer to questions on registration affidavit (Supp. § 6.1499).

Perjury. A person who makes a false affidavit or swears falsely under oath for the purpose of securing registration or for voting shall be deemed guilty of perjury which is punishable by fine not exceeding $1,000, or by imprisonment in the State prison for not more than 5 years or both (§§ 6.1933, 6.1936).

Forgery. A person found guilty of forgery under the provisions of the election law shall, unless otherwise provided, be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or by imprisonment in State prison for not more than 5 years or both (§ 6.1937).

MINNESOTA

Unless otherwise designated references are to Statutes Ann., 1945, as amended by Laws of 1959, Ch. 675 (New Minnesota Election Law).

Voters' qualifications (Const. of Minnesota, Art. VII, § 1, as amended November 8, 1960)

Age.-21 years or over by election. (See Stat. Ann. 1959, §§ 200.02 (25), 201.19.)

Residence.-6 months in State, 30 days in the precinct next preceding election. Residence is not lost by absence while employed in the service of the United States (Const. Art. VII, § 3).

Citizenship.-Must have been a citizen of the United States for at least 3 months next preceding election.

Disqualified from voting (Const. of Minnesota, Art. VII, § 2)

1. Persons convicted of treason or any felony unless restored to civil rights. 2. Persons under guardianship.

3. Persons non compos mentis or insane.

Registration

Registration is required in cities having a population of not less than 10,000 or in any municipality of less than 10,000 if the governing body of such municipality or town shall by ordinance or resolution elect to adopt this system (L '59, Ch. 675, § 201.02).

Registration is permanent (L '59, Ch. 675, § 201.06 et seq.). Applicant must appear in person, but an absent voter may register by mail. Registration is subject to cancellation for failure to vote at an election at least once in 4 consecutive calendar years elsewhere in the State (L '59, Ch. 675, § 201.17). Registration may be made by or for a member of the Armed Forces by filing with county auditor a request for an absentee ballot in prescribed form (L '59, Ch.. 675, §§ 207.19, 201.18).

Registration application-contents

Oath.-Applicant for registration shall subscribe to an oath or affirmation that he will fully and truly answer such questions as shall be put to him touching upon his qualifications as a voter. Upon being sworn, applicant shall answer questions and clerk shall fill out a registration card which applicant shall sign (L '59, Ch. 675, § 201.20).

Form shall contain following information (Supp. § 201.07) :

1. Election district.

2. Name.

3. Address.

4. Age.

5. Term of residence.

6. Nativity.

7. Citizenship-manner in which acquired.

8. Date of application.

9. Signature of voter.

Records of registration.-The card which the registrar fills out is known as the "original registration file" which shall not be removed from the office of Commissioner of Registration. A duplicate file is open to public inspection only for purposes related to elections. There appears to be no provision for preservation of cards of persons to whom registration was denied (§ 201.06). Literacy-Not required.-In case voter is unable to write his name, he shall be required to make a cross which shall be certified by the signing of applicant's name by clerk. A voter who is unable to sign his name shall not be permitted to mail a removal notice but will have to appear in person to have name transferred to new district (L '59, Ch. 675, § 201.20).

Penalty for violations

Any person who shall willfully or fraudulently register or vote more than once, or register under any but his true name, or attempt to vote by impersonating another who is registered, or registers or votes in a district where he is not a resident, or in more than one district or who votes at an election when not qualified or who aids another in so doing, or who violates any provisions concerning registration of voters, or who offers duplicate ballots shall be guilty of a felony (L '59, ch. 675, §§ 201.27, 210.02, 210.03).

MISSISSIPPI

Unless otherwise designated, references are to Code 1942 Annotated, 1957 Recomp., and to 1960 Supplement.

Voters' qualification (Const. of Mississippi of 1890, § 241; Code, Supp. § 3235; Code 1942, § 3160)

Age-21 years and upwards by election (Const. of Miss. § 251; Code § 3212). Citizenship.-Must be citizen of the United States.

Residence.-2 years in State, 1 year in election district or city, town, or village by date of election.

Character.-Must be of good moral character (Const. § 241-A added November 1960).

Literacy.-Must be able to read and write any section of state constitution and give a reasonable interpretation thereof; and must be able to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the duties and obligations of citizenship under a constitutional form of government (Code §§ 3213, 3235; Const. § 244).

Poll and other taxes.-Must have paid all taxes legally required of him for the 2 preceding years, and which he has had an opportunity to pay according to law on or before February 1 of the year in which he offers to vote.

Voter meeting above qualifications shall be eligible to vote at any election held not less than 4 months after his registration.

Ministers.-A minister of the gospel in charge of an organized church or his wife legally residing with him shall be entitled to vote after 6 months residence in the election district, city, town, or village if otherwise qualified.

No additional qualifications here imposed shall be required of anyone duly registered before January 1, 1954.

Disqualified from voting (Const. of Mississippi, 1890, § 241; Code §§ 3235, 3214).

1. Persons convicted of bribery, burglary, theft, arson, obtaining goods or money under false pretenses, perjury, forgery, embezzlement, or bigamy. 2. Idiots and insane persons.

3. Indians not taxed.

Registration

Registration is permanent (Code, Supp. § 3240) and must be made in person only (Code § 3212). Voter absent in armed services may register by mail (83196-06). Application must be written by applicant in presence of registrar without assistance (Supp. § 3209.7).

Registration application-contents

Oath.-Applicant shall subscribe to oath swearing or affirming his age and residence, that he has not been disqualified by conviction of a crime, that he will truly answer all questions put to him touching on his qualifications to vote (Const. of Mississippi § 242; Code §§ 3212, 3210; Supp. § 3209.7).

Loyalty oath.-Above oath contains clause that affiant will faithfully support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Mississippi, and will bear faith and allegiance to the same (Const. of Mississippi § 242). Form of registration books. In addition to the written application, registrar shall ask following questions and fill answers in book:

The oath is printed on top of the page in the registration book. lowing information appears beneath it (Code § 3210):

1. Date of registration.

2. Name.

3. Age.

4. Occupation.

5. Business address.

6. Place of residence in district.

The fol

7. What oath does elector take? Here the registrar enters either "general," or "minister's" or "minister's wife," or "special as to age." If his age or residence are not as required now but will be so by election, he may take a modified oath to that effect (Code § 3212; Const. of Mississippi § 251; Code Supp. § 3209.7). 8. Literacy. Has elector met all the requirements of § 244 of the Constitution, as amended, which provides that applicant must be able to read and write any section of the State Constitution and give a reasonable interpretation thereof. (See also § 3213.)

9. Citizenship.-If naturalized, proof of naturalization (Code § 3216).

10. Signature of elector.

11. Remarks.

Preservation of records. If no appeal has been taken as is provided by law from the ruling of the registrar upon any application for registration, or if any application for registration is abandoned or waived by the applicant therein by making another application for registration before any final judgment or decision has been rendered on any prior application, or otherwise waived or abandoned same, the registrar is not required to retain or preserve any record of the written application (Supp. § 3209.7).

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