Abstract

A Lesson in Ballot Reform

This article presents information on secret-ballot laws. It is informed that the controversy at Hartford over the governorship is sort of a warning as to the unwisdom of all secret-ballot laws which do not provide a genuine official ballot. Near the close of the long session of the Connecticut Legislature of 1889, there was passed an excellent ballot bill, modeled on that of Massachusetts. However, certain complications were pointed out which would make it very clumsy in its operation. It is informed that two local elections has been held under the Connecticut law since it was passed. At all of these contests there have been endless wrangles as to the proper and legal form for printing the ballots, the use of pasters, the places where the ballots could be put, and half-a-dozen other matters.