Chap. 470.—An ACT to provide for additional methods for purging the registration
books of the several election districts and to protect the registration of all
persons whose right to registration is called in question, because of the failure
to comply with several provisions of the law, but which are not proceeded
against as provided in this bill, within the time therein prescribed. [S B 48]

Approved March 21, 1924.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That in addi-
tion to the method of purging the fegistration books prescribed in sec-
tion one hundred and seven of the Code of Virginia, any three qualified
voters in any election district may file with the circuit court of the
county, or a corporation court of the city wherein the election district
is located, or before the judge of such court in vacation, a petition set-
ting forth the objections of the petitioners to the registration of any
person whose name is on said registration books. Fifteen days’ notice
shall be given to the person or persons whose registration is objected to,
and without formal pleadings summarily, the court or the Judge in vi-
cation shall in preference to all other matters, proceed to determine,
in accordance with the rules and practice in common law proceedings,
the right of such person or persons to registration. From the order of
the court, or judge, an appeal, at the instance of any party to such
proceedings, shall lie, in accordance with the forms in common law pro-
ceedings, as a matter of right, to the supreme court of appeals, and the
appeal shall go upon the privileged docket and be heard at any session
of the court, so as to receive a speedy adjudication.

2. Unless the petition herein provided is filed within the time herein
provided, after thirty days from the passage of this act, if the person
whose right to registration is brought into question is then registered,
or within six months after the registration of any person thereafter
registered, it shall be conclusively presumed in all proceedings where
the right of such person to registration arises, by election officers and by
judicial tribunals, or in election contests of any kind and character,
that such person has complied with all the requirements of the law in
making written application to the registrar in his own handwriting,
without aid, suggestion, or memorandum, in the presence of the regis-
trar, stating therein his name, age, date, and place of birth, residence,
and occupation at the time and for the two years next preceding, and
whether he has previously voted; and if so, the State, county, and pre-
cinct in which he voted last, and that he answered on oath any and all
questions affecting his qualifications as an elector, submitted to him
by the registrar, and that questions and answers thereto had been re-
duced to writing, and certified by the said registrar. It shall not be
permitted to be shown the contrary where no petition has been filed
within the time prescribed.

3. An emergency existing, this act shall[be enforced from its pas-
sage.