EVERY VOTER

(Continued from page 1.)

abolish the poll tax as a prerequisite to voting in elections but recently been keenly discussed though little understood by the electorate from General of the United States has for years had before it the question, as to whether or not the poll tax should be abolished in or for an Federal election, were concerned and it appears beneficial that such an act prohibiting the payment of a poll tax as a prerequisite to voting will be made a law by Congress. If such a law is adopted, the result would be that where a local matter such as the election of a member of the State Senate or House of Representatives is required to vote, either the Virginia election as a prerequisite to voting is abolished. The Complication of Virginia requires the payment of a poll tax as a prerequisite to voting in Virginia and the question cannot be considered by the General Assembly either the voters of Virginia have first required an amendment, authorizing the amendment of the poll tax as a prerequisite to voting.

The Campbell Commission, a by-partisan group, consisting of distinguished members including Dr. Charles Smith, of Boonsboro college and Judge Paul Paul of Harrisonburg appointed to study the abolition of the poll tax in Virginia, recommended certain changes in the Constitution. The chief cause of a misunderstanding of the amendment seems to be that a number of persons have the mistakes belief that annual registration is necessary. Such was not the proposal by the group but they suggested that registration should be renewed annually, which could be accomplished by any one of their ways:

1. By the act of voting in the preceding election.

2. By the payment of personal property taxes in the preceding year, or

3. By applying to the Registration Board in writing for a renewal of registration.

The commission suggested that any one of the three steps would constitute annual renewal of registration and suggested that the article authorizes him to the General Assembly for the disposal of details.

Under the Virginia poll tax is repealed, the Virginia elections will be in a great state of confusion if a local matter need be considered at the same time as a Federal election. If the amendment is not passed, another amendment must be passed by the General Assembly during two separate sessions and then submitted to the electorate for approval.

There is a belief that due to some voluntary report a large number of the voters have been advised that it will be necessary each year to go to the county seat and register. Such is not the case, as was recently set forth by Judge Paul in annual newspaper articles written by him.

The Rappahannock county candidate for the Culpeper Soil Conservation District, F. Downing Wood, of Washington, has long been interested in services pertaining to soil conservation and to a progressive farmer of the county. He will make an able representative of the board.