Chap. 86.—An ACT to amend and re-enact an act entitled an act to legalize pri-
mary elections and conventions in the city of Richmond, approved February
2b, 18d.

Approved January 22, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That an act
entitled an act to legalize primary elections and conventions in the city
of Richmond, approved February twenty-third, eighteen hundred anid
ninety-four, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

$1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall
be lawful for any political party in the city of Richmond, in this state.
previous to any general election held for the purpose of electing any
state, municipal or federal officers, should they desire so to do, to hold
a primary election or convention for the nomination of candidates for
the offices to be voted for at the said ensuing general election, upon such
rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the local executive com-
mittee of such pariv: provided, however, that the expense of conduct-
ing the said primary election or convention be borne by the party con-
ducting and holding the same.

$2. The local executive committee of the said party shall determine
the rules and regulations upon which such primary election or conven-
tion shall be held, which said rules and regulations shall be published
in some convenient newspaper or posted at the front door of the city
hall or hustings court-house of said city at least five days previous to
the holding of such primary election or convention; and a printed copy
of such rules and regulations shall be served upon such candidates to
he voted for at such primary election or convention, and each judge and
clerk who shall conduct the same, and shall also be posted at each
voting-place for the holding of such primary election or mecting-place
for the selection of delegates to such convention.

$3. The local executive committee of said party shall appoint. se
many Judges and clerks for the conduct of said primary election or con-
vention, and pay them such compensation for their services as they may
deem proper, and the said judges and clerks, before entering upon the
discharge of their duties as such, shall take and subscribe the following
oath:

I, A. B., judge or clerk of the primary election or convention, to be

q
held by the ——— party, do solemnly swear (or affinn) that I will
perform the duties of judge or clerk of the said primary election or con-
vention, according to the rules and regulations prescribed by the execu-
tive comiittee of said ——— party to the best of my ability, and that
I will studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, deeccit and abuse in con-
ducting this election or convention. So help me God.

If there is no one present authorized to administer oaths, the judges
of election so appointed may administer to each other and to the clerks
the oath above provided,

$4. The said judges and clerks, for the purpose of conducting said
prim: iy Clection or Convention, sh: all have the rights, powers and 1 privi-
leges, and be subject. to all the penalties prescribed by law for judges and
clerks of the regular clection.

$6. Any person who knowingly or wilfully votes or attempts to vote
at such primary election or convention contrary to the rules and regula-
tions upon which the same is conducted shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof be fined not less than one
hundred dollars nor more than three hundred dollars, or imprisoned in
the city jail not exceeding twelve months.

$6. But nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent any politi-

cal party from holding any prhnary election or convention at any time
not subject to the provisions of this act, and no court shall enjoin said
political party from: so doing.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.