QuestionsQuestions (Act No. 1582)
Its short title is the “Election Law.” It provides for holding elections in the Philippine Islands, organizing the Philippine Assembly, and other related purposes.
It means the board of inspectors of election and the poll clerk. The board acts through its chairman upon a majority vote of the members; the poll clerk has neither voice nor vote in proceedings.
When a provincial board or municipal council is tasked, it includes the Municipal Board of the City of Manila. Likewise, when a municipal secretary or provincial treasurer is tasked, it includes the secretary of the Municipal Board of the City of Manila.
An election to elect Delegates was held on July 30, 1907. Subsequent elections were set for the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of 1909 and of each odd-numbered year thereafter.
A plurality of the legally cast votes elects the winner.
Provincial vacancy: the Governor-General appoints a suitable person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term until a successor is elected and qualified. Municipal vacancy: filled by appointment by the provincial board, and the appointee serves until the first of January following the next general election (and if the next general election is mid-term, the successor is elected for the unexpired term).
It may be called upon failure to elect a Delegate, or death/disqualification of a person elected before the official term begins. The Governor-General must proclaim a special election, held not less than 40 nor more than 90 days from the proclamation.
A Delegate must be a qualified elector of the district, owing allegiance to the United States, and be not less than 25 years of age.
They must be qualified electors of the province; residents in the province for at least one year prior to election; owe allegiance to the United States; and be at least 25 years old.
They must be qualified voters and residents in the municipality for at least one year; owe allegiance to the United States; be at least 23 years old; and be able to read and write intelligently in Spanish, English, or the local dialect.
Every male person 23 years old or over, with legal residence for six months immediately preceding the election in the municipality, not a citizen or subject of any foreign power, and included in one of three classes: (a) former specified local officials prior to Aug. 13, 1898; (b) owns real property worth 500 pesos or pays 30 pesos or more in established taxes annually; or (c) can read/write/speak English or Spanish. U.S. soldiers/sailors/marines are excluded from acquiring legal residence by stationing alone.
Delinquency in public taxes; deprivation of right to vote by court sentence; violation of oath of allegiance to the U.S.; being in arms against U.S. authority on May 1, 1901 or thereafter; making contributions aiding anti-U.S. groups or demanding/receiving such contributions for protection/benefit; giving aid and comfort to persons opposing or in arms against the U.S. since March 31, 1901; and insanity/feeble-mindedness (with specified provisos/exceptions regarding surrender/amnesty-related situations).
Municipal councils appoint three inspectors and one poll clerk per election precinct on the first Tuesday of June 1907 and first Tuesday of September each year thereafter when regular elections are held. If a party or branch polled 30% or more of votes in the preceding general election, two inspectors must belong to the party with the largest votes and the remaining one to the party with the next largest votes (except the first election under the law, where political-party rules need not be followed).
Meetings are public; inspectors have full authority to preserve peace and good order, keep access open/unobstructed, and enforce obedience to lawful commands. They may order a peace officer to take into custody and detain a disruptive offender until adjournment, but execution must not prevent the person from exercising the right to vote.
The board of inspectors holds four meetings for registry (each except the last from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). It prepares a list of qualified voters who appear for registration, numbering them consecutively and recording surname, given names, cedula number, and residence details. Applicants must exhibit cedula (or note exemption), and take an elector’s oath. Names can be challenged and examined during the first four meetings, with possible addition or removal based on facts. No one votes unless their name appears on the completed voter register.