628

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

precincts, so that there may be always as nearly as may be not

more than six hundred voters in each precinct, if the equal di-

vision of the voters in the precincts of the several wards will

allow, and if not, as near to the said number of six hundred

voters as practicable; the said board of police commissioners

shall make known the boundaries of the precincts by advertise-

ment in two daily newspapers published in said city, inserted in

each paper on two successive days of the week preceding the

commencement of the registration.

160. The necessary expenses incurred in any county in carry-

ing out the provisions of this article, shall be paid by the county

commissioners of that county, and the like expenses in the city

of Baltimore by the mayor and city council of Baltimore, the

like expenses incurred by the secretary of State, or under his

Expenses.

direction, shall be paid by the State by requisitions of the comp-

troller on the treasurer upon proper vouchers, certified by the

secretary of State; bids shall be required by the board of super-

visors of election in Baltimore city and by the county commis-

sioners of the several counties, after due public notice, for the

necessary equipment of the polling-rooms to fit them for use

under this article; the contract therefor shall be awarded to the

lowest responsible bidder.

161. A voter who shall, except as herein otherwise provided,

allow his ballot to be seen by any person with an apparent inten-

tion of letting it be known how he is about to vote, or place any

distinguishing mark upon his ballot, or any person who shall in-

terfere, or attempt to interfere with any voter when inside said

enclosed space, or when marking his ballot, or who shall endeavor

Penalty.

to induce any voter before voting to show how he marks or has

marked his ballot, or otherwise violate any provisions of this art-

icle, for which no other punishment is prescribed, shall be pun-

ished by fine of not less than five dollars nor more than one hun-

dred dollars, and election officers shall report any person so doing

to the police officer, sheriff or deputy sheriff, or other officer at

the polls whose duty it shall be to see that the offender is duly

brought before the proper court, or order his arrest forthwith.

162. Any person who shall, prior to an election, wilfully de-

face or destroy any sample ballot posted in accordance with the

provisions of this act, or who, during an election shall wilfully

deface, tear down, remove or destroy any card of instruction or

Misdemea-

sample ballot printed or posted for the instruction of voters, or

nor.

who shall during an election, wilfully remove or destroy the

guard railing, or any of the supplies or conveniences furnished

to enable a voter to prepare his ballot, or shall wilfully hinder

the voting of others, shall be punished by fine of not less than

five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or imprisonment