536

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

	536	LAWS OF MARYLAiND. meeting of the corporation officers he shall have all the rights and privileges of a commis- sioner when the burgess is present. The assist- ant burgess and the three commissioners shall qualify, either before a justice of the peace in and for Washington county, State of Maryland, or before the qualified burgess of said corpora- tion of Smithsburg in accordance with oath given in section three hundred and twelve. SEC. 302. In case of a vacancy by death or
	Vacancies.	otherwise of two of the qualified officers of the corporation other than the burgess, then an election shall be held to fill said vacancies in accordance with section two hundred and ninety- eight. SEC. 303. The method of holding all regular elections in said town shall be as follows : 1st. It shall be the duty of the burgess to give
	Give notice.	at least ten days public notice prior to the day of holding an election, which notice shall state the objects and purposes of such election. 2d. The burgess shall also appoint two citi-
	Shall appoint.	zens, qualified voters of said town, the one to act as judge and the other as clerk of the election. 3d. The person so appointed, before proceed-
	Take oath.	ing to act. shall take an oath or affirmation before the burgess, or a justice of the peace in and for Washington county, State of Maryland, and the oath to be the same as that taken by judges and clerks who serve at a state or county election. 4th. The said judge shall have authority to
	Authority.	administer oaths or affirmations to any person touching his qualifications as a voter. 5th. The polls shall be kept open from eight
	Polls.	o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon, unless the public notice of election may have different hours. (3th. At the close of the polls the said judge
	Count ballots, etc.	and clerk shall immediately count the ballots, cast up the votes, and return, under their hands and seals, to the clerk of the circuit court for Washington county the number of votes cast for each candidate, and return the persons re- ceiving the highest number of votes as duly elected; and they shall return at the same time