Chap. 466.—An ACT to amend and re-enact an act to legalize primary elections in
the county of Prince William, approved February 20, 1900.

Approved April 2, 1902.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That an act en-
titled an act to legalize primary clections in the county of Prince Wil-
ham, approved February twentieth, nineteen hundred, be amended and
re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 1. That it shall be lawful for any political party in the county of
Prince William, previous to any general election held for the purpose of
electing any federal, State, county, district, or corporation officers, to
hold a primary election for the purpose of nominating candidates to be
voted for in the said ensuing general election under such rules and regu-
lations as may be prescribed by the local executive committee of such
party: providing, however, that the expense of holding and conducting
such primary election shall be borne by the party ordering the same.

§ 2. The local committee of said party shall determine the rules and
regulations under which the said primary election shall be held, which
said rules and regulations shall be published at least ten days previous
to such primary election in some newspaper published in said county, if
there be one, and if there be no newspaper published in said county,
then a printed copy shall be posted on the front door of the courthouse
of said county for at least ten days previous to said primary election ;
and a printed copy of such rules and regulations shall be furnished each
judge and clerk of said primarv election, and one copy shall be posted
conspicuously at each voting place of said primary election on the day
of holding the same.

§ 3. The local exccutive committee of said party shall appoint among
the friends of the opposing candidates, so far as the same is possible, not
less than two nor more than three judges at each voting place for the
conduct of such primary election, and shall pay them such compensation
for their services as they may deem proper, unless such judges are willing
to serve without compensation, and the judges so appointed shall select
cne of their own number to act as clerk of election. And if any judge
fail to appear within one hour of the time set for opening the polls, or,
appearing, fail to act, his place may be filled by the other judge or
judges from among the by-standers. The said judges and clerks, before
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entering upon the discharge of their duties as such, shall take and sub-
scribe the following oath: ,

“T, A. B., judge (or clerk) of the primary election to be held by the
cece eee eee party of Prince William county this, the......day of
See e eee eee , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will perform the duties
of judge (or clerk) of the said primary election, according to the rules
and regulations prescribed by the local executive committee of said party
and the statutes of Virginia, to the best of my ability; and that I will
studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, deccit, and abuse in conducting the
said election; so help me God.”

If there is no one present authorized to administer oaths, the judges
may administer to each other and to the clerks the oath above prescribed.
The said judges and clerks, for the purpose of conducting the said
primary election, shall have the same rights, powers, and privileges, and
he subject to the same penalties prescribed by law for the judges and
clerks of general elections.

§ 4. The said executive committee shall make an estimate of the
probable cost of conducting the said primary election, and shall assess
cach candidate his pro rata share of said cost, and when a candidate shall
have paid his said share, as assessed, to the chairman or other officer ap-
pointed by the said committee for the purpose of receiving such moneys,
he shall be duly recognized as a candidate for the nomination in the said
primary election for such office for which he has announced himself.

§ 5. All bar-rooms, saloons, and: other places for the sale of intoxi-
cating liquors in the county, district, or corporation in which such pri-
mary election is held, shall. be closed from twelve o’clock P. M. on the day
previous to that on which such primary election is held until sunset of
the day such primary election is concluded. During the time aforesaid
no person shall sell or give away any wine, ardent spirits, malt liquors,
cider, or any mixture of them, in the county, district, or corporation in
which the primary election is held. Any person violating any provision
of this clause shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars, and con-
fined in jail not exceeding twelve months. |

§ 6. If any person, directly or indirectly, gives, or offers, or promises
to give, a voter in any primary election held under the provisions of this
act any money, goods, chattels, or any other thing of value under any
agreement, express or implied, that such voter shall give his vote for a
particular candidate or candidates, such person shall be fined not less
than twenty nor more than one hundred dollars. Any voter receiving
such money, goods, chattels, or other thing of value, in pursuance of such
agreement, shall be punished in like manner as the person giving or
offering the same. Any person convicted of violating any provision of
this clause shall, in addition to the imposition of the penaliv aforesaid,
be disfranchised from voting in any primary or general election held
under the laws of the State of Virginia, and shall be disqualified from
holding any office in the State of Virginia.

§ 7. From the time the polls are opened until after the votes have
been counted no person shall be permitted within twenty feet of the
ballot-box except the judges, clerk, and the person voting, and any person
making complaint under section nine of this act, and no person shall
he allowed more than one minute in which to deposit his ballot, or to
give his vote, viva voce, according as the election is held by ballot or viva
voce. Kach judge and clerk shall have the power of a special constable,
under the general election laws of the State of Virginia, to enforce this
provision.

§ 8. Each judge and clerk of the primary clection, justice, constable,
and special policeman shall have and exercise the powers conferred upon
like officers, under the general election laws of the State of Virginia.
for the purpose of making arrest, suppressing disorder, and preventing
the commission of offenses.

$9. At any primary election held under the provisions of this act any
person can make, on the day such primary election is held, complaint in
writing, under oath, to any Judge of election holding such primary clec-
tion against any person of any violation of the provisions of this act in
regard to primary elections; and thereupon said judge of election shall
issue his warrant of arrest against the person so accused, directed to the
sheriff or any constable of said county, commanding him to apprehend
forthwith such accused person, and to carry him forthwith before the
nearest justice to have said alleged offense inquired into, and to be
further dealt with according to law. In an incorporated town, the mayor
shall have concurrent jurisdiction with justices under this clause, and
suen warrants may be directed to the sergeant of such incorporated town.

§10. Any person who knowingly or wilfully votes, or attempts to
vote, at such primary eleetion contrary to the rules and regulations under
which the said primary election is conducted shall be auilty of a mis-
demeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than five
dollars nor more than fifty dollars, or imprisoned in the county jail for
al period not exceeding twelve months, or both.

$11. All persons voting in any primary election under the provisions
of this act shall vote at some voting place within the magisterial district
in which they live.

$12. At every primary election held under the provisions of this act,
for the information of the voters, the said local executive committee
shall cause a printed copy of this act to be posted on or before the dav of
such primary election at each primary precinct where such primary elec-
tion is held, and any person who shall tear the same down until after the
said primary election shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

$13. The county court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with jus-
tices of the peace of all offenses arising under this act.

§ 14. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby
repealed.