voter's name is then checked with the letter "V" on the margin of the voting check list by the election officer having charge of this duty.

Nonregistered Voters. Although electors in cities must be registered in order to vote, yet in boroughs and townships they may claim the right to vote even though not registered. The person thus claiming the right to vote must produce at least one qualified voter of the district to subscribe, under oath, that the claimant has resided in the district for two months immediately preceding the election (133); the claimant must also make oath or affirmation that he is a qualified voter under the required conditions.

A Challenged Vote.-Although the name of a proposed voter may be on the list, any of the officers or any qualified citizen of the district may object to the admission of the vote. When the right of a person to vote is thus questioned, the vote is said to be challenged. The person whose right of suffrage is thus challenged must publicly make proof of his claims as required by law before his vote can be received.

What Residence Means. By the residence of a voter is meant his place of abode or his permanent home. For the purpose of voting, no person can gain a residence by remaining in a place for temporary purposes of business, pleasure, or education, no matter how long he may prolong his stay.

Registration in Cities.-The Legislature by the Act of February, 1906, provides for the personal registration of voters in cities of the first and second classes, and makes such registration a condition of the right to vote at an election. The Governor appoints a board of registration commissioners for each of such cities, consisting of four members, not more than two of whom may be of the same political party. These commissioners, thus appointed, hold office

until their successors qualify. The board appoints, not later than August fifteenth of each year, four registers for each election district. Not more than two of these can be of the same political faith. No public officer or candidate for such office can act as register. The registers of each division meet at the polling place on the ninth Tuesday, seventh Tuesday, and fourth Saturday preceding every general election, and on the fourth Saturday preceding every municipal election; and, in open session from seven o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock in the evening, receive personal applications from persons claiming the right to be registered. Every person claiming the right to vote must appear in person before the registers, in the election district in which he lives, before every general election, and answer the questions put to him by them. These answers are recorded in two registers, the size and character of which is determined by the secretary of the Commonwealth according to certain forms which the law specifies. Severe penalties are attached to fraudulent actions of either the registers or voters in all matters pertaining to registration.

In the Act of March, 1906, provision is made for personal registration in all cities of the third class. The county commissioners in which the city is located appoint two registers for each election precinct or ward, to serve for four years. The board of registers must be, as nearly as possible, evenly divided in political faith. The size and character of the registers used are determined by the county commissioners according to the forms set forth in the law. The process of registration is similar to that in the cities of the first and second classes. Registers are appointed not later than June fifteenth. They meet at the polling places on the ninth Tuesday, seventh Tuesday, and third Saturday preceding

every general election, and on the third Tuesday preceding every municipal or local election. The registration sessions are open from eight in the morning until one o'clock in the afternoon; then from two o'clock until six in the evening; and also from seven o'clock until ten at night of each registra

tion day.

Under the operation of these laws, hereafter, in all our cities it will be known in advance of the election how many votes can be cast, and who will have the right to cast them. And the result will be that the elections will be purer and more honest than ever before in our history. Those citizens who have sufficient intelligence to place a proper value on the right to vote will see that the right is secured to them through registration. Those who have not will probably give the matter no attention, and it is just as well that they should not, for the community is better off with them disfranchised.

Bribery. The giving or the receiving of a bribe for a vote is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment (140). In addition to these penalties, any person convicted of a willful violation of the election laws is excluded from the right of suffrage, absolutely for four years; and, if a candidate for office, he becomes forever incapable of holding any office of trust or profit within the gift of the Commonwealth (141).

Counting the Vote. After the polls are closed, and before the ballot boxes are opened, all the lists of voters used must be placed in separate sealed covers properly marked; also the stubs of all the ballots used, together with all unused ballots, must be inclosed in a sealed package properly designating the voting place. The inspectors then proceed to open the ballot box and audibly count the votes, observing the precautions against unfairness which the law prescribes. The counting must not be postponed nor adjourned until fully

completed. The ballots are kept within the unobstructed view of those persons within the voting room who are outside the guard rail. It is unlawful for either judge or inspector, while counting the ballots or the votes thereon, to have in his hand any pen, pencil, or stamp for marking ballots.

The law gives certain regulations relating to the counting of ballots imperfectly marked; but since it is clear in its directions for marking ballots, voters should adhere strictly to the instructions given in order that their votes may be effective.

Election Returns.-The result of the voting must be publicly and fully announced as soon as the votes are counted. The election officers then make out and sign a full return in triplicate copies. A copy of the returns is delivered to the prothonotary before two o'clock of the next day, and he presents the returns to the judge or judges of the court of common pleas at noon of the second day after the election. The judges, after computing the returns received, make out their conclusions in duplicate. They give certificates of election, under the court seal, to the proper persons.

One of the triplicate copies is sent to the secretary of the Commonwealth, and this officer presents to the Governor the returns of the elections of all the township and county officers to whom commissions are to be issued.

Returns of the election of Governor are sent to the president of the senate for computation and publication; those of the election of State senators are transmitted to the senate; those of representatives are sent to the house of representatives. A board consisting of the Governor, the president judge of the twelfth judicial district, the president pro tempore of the senate, the speaker of the house of representa

tives, four senators, and four representatives computes the returns of the election of State treasurer and auditor-general.

Ballot Boxes. As soon as the election is finished, the tickets, list of taxables, one of the lists of voters, one of the tally papers, and a copy of the oath or affirmation taken by the officers holding the election, must be deposited in the ballot box; and such box being closely bound round with tape, and sealed by the election officers under their signatures, shall be deposited in the custody of the person legally authorized to care for it. Unless required by court in settlement of contested elections, the box must not be opened until the morning of the next ensuing election. After the officers have been duly sworn, the ballot box is opened, and the contents must be burned and totally destroyed.

A Plurality Sufficient. A plurality of votes elects a candidate for any office; a majority is not necessary.

A majority is the number by which the votes of a successful candidate exceed those for all other candidates taken together. A person elected by a majority must receive more than half the votes cast.

A plurality in elections means the excess of the votes cast for one candidate over those cast for another, or for any other, candidate. When there are more than two candidates, the one who receives the plurality of votes may have less than a majority.

In the election of Governor in 1910 the vote stood: