1282 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 532

many names as there are positions to be tilled, from the re-
maining candidates polling in order, the largest numbers of
votes in the first election. In this election the remaining posi-
tions shall be filled by declaring elected the several candidates
polling the largest numbers of votes.

SEC. 24. VACANCIES IN THE COUNCIL. If a seat in the Coun-
cil becomes vacant, the remaining Councilmen by a majority
vote shall, as soon as possible, elect a person to fill the unex-
pired term.

SEC. 25. WATCHERS AND CHALLENGERS. Any three or more
candidates may appoint in writing one person to represent
them as both watcher and challenger at each voting place. Any
persons so appointed shall have all the rights and privileges
prescribed by the law of the State of Maryland for other
watchers and challengers at any election in the County of
Prince George's, and shall be permitted to stay in the voting
places until the ballots have been sent from them to the central
counting place and to accompany the ballot boxes to the cen-
tral counting place. No candidate shall have the right to share
in the appointment of more than one such watcher and
challenger for each voting place or to have more than one such
watcher accompany a group of ballot boxes being sent to the
central counting place together.

SEC. 26. DIRECTOR OF THE COUNT. Before each general elec-
tion the Council at a regular meeting shall designate some
competent person to act as director of the count and to
certify the results of the election. The Council shall also
provide for such assistants as may be necessary. Such
director and assistants shall take the same oath as judges
and clerks of election are required to take by Section 20
of this charter, but neither the director of the count nor his
assistants shall act as clerks or judges of the same election.
The Council shall provide for the compensation to be received
by the director of the count and his assistants.

SEC. 27. ASSEMBLING THE BALLOTS. As soon as the polls
have closed, the judges at each voting place shall seal the ballot
box used for the election of Councilmen without opening it and
shall send it at once to the central counting place for the
Town. They shall send with it a record of the number of
ballots which have been voted in the voting place committed
to their charge. The ballot boxes shall be assembled by pre-
cincts for counting at the central counting place in an order of
precincts determined by the director of the count by lot. Lots
shall be drawn at the central counting place at the time of the