The Chaos at the Polls

Before another election is held in Tacoma, a new system should be devised for manning the polls with election officials. At the recent power plant election, just one-fourth of the electors of the city voted at all. This was not entirely due to the apathy of the voters, nor to the opinion of a majority that the project was sure to carry anyway. Hundreds did view the matter in that light, but other hundreds did not vote because when they went to the polls, they found no polling place open, no ballots, and no election officials. One of the polling places was not opened until nearly 2 o'clock in the afternoon. There were 15 of them that were not opened until nearly 11 o'clock. The present plan is for councilmen to suggest judges and inspectors to the city clerk, who appoints them. The only notification they get is in an official publication. A majority of the officials never see this, so they do not go after the supplies. The clerk never has any assurance that the men appointed will even serve. Steps should be taken to systematize the election work so that every inspector would know he is an inspector, and that he is to get the supplies and open the election booth on time. And a penalty should be provided if he does not do it.