WHO MAY VOTE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 148, 26 June 1933, Page 10

WHO MAY VOTE

STILL CONFUSION

ELECTORS' QUESTIONS

- Some day: electors, particularly municipal electors, will properly understand their rights.in claiming and exercising fheir votes,.but that day is not yet. .-Both Mr, Wright and Mr. Fraser have explained once again that residents of Wellington-as well as ratepayers have the right to vote at the by-election next Thursday, but, apparently there are other points which trouble the consciences of ; people who wish to vote but do not intend to break the law. : ...One questioner asked.. Mr.,, Fraser whether an elector who voted in the May election could vote again in the by-election without breaking the law. The answer was that of course such an elector could vote on Thursday, whether he (or she) was a ratepayer and, was an elector by virtue of residence in' the city and enrolment on the city roll, or whether the vote was claimed in the right o"f'the elector or as a wife. Practically every resident of Wellington, man or woman, who is over the age of 21 years and is a British subject may vote at thei by-election,!provided that their names- appear- on : the- city rolls. ' COMPANY VOTES. Further points for the guidance of electors were made today by the Returning1 Officer (Mr. J. Norrie).' He remarked that an erroneous impression apparently existed in regard to company and society voting. Tho Act provided: —"(1) Any corporate body the name of which is entered on-, any roll prepared for the purpose of any election or poll held or taken under the principal Act, may, by resolution, appoint some person to - vote on its behalf at such election or" poll.. (2) If any unincorporated society or association of p"ersons, or any firm, ep-partner-ship, or jofat tenants whose name, or names' appear on.any such rojJ may, by writing under the firm's name or under the hands of the co-partners or ' joint tenants, as the case, may be, appoint some person to vote, at such election or poll .on their behalf." The point to be noted, said. Mr. Norrie, was that .the; name of the corporate body, society; or association'inust ap- s pear on the roll before a vote could bo claimed. . It was not", generally . known, Mr. Norrie'added, that if a voting paper was spoiled through inadvertence the electdrr on referring the matter to the offi- , cer-in charge of the polling place; could btitain another ballot paper and so not lose his or her-vote. - .