THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 1491

48. Judges of Election. The Board of Supervisors of
Elections shall, at least five days prior to holding any pri-
mary, general, or special election, appoint as many resi-
dent qualified voters of the city as it may deem necessary
to act as judges of the election. The Board of Supervisors
of Elections shall endeavor to assure that not more than
one-half of the judges so appointed shall be of the same
political party.

49. False Returns. If any of the judges of election
wilfully shall make a false return, he or they shall be
deemed guilty of a felony, and on conviction shall be sen-
tenced to the penitentiary for not less than one or more
than ten years.

50. Conduct of Elections. The judges shall keep the
polls open from 7 o'clock A. M. to 7 o'clock P. M. They
shall within twenty-four hours after the closing of the
polls return under their hands and seals the number of
votes cast for each person and for what office or object,
together with the ballots, taken in sealed packages to the
Board of Supervisors of Elections, who shall canvass said
returns and preserve said ballots for at least two months.

51. Challengers. Challengers and watchers represent-
ing the candidates in any primary or city election shall be
allowed to be present at the several voting places during
the voting and counting of the ballots as provided by law
with respect to general elections.

52. Vacancies. In case of a vacancy for any reason in
the council, the council within four weeks of the occur-
rence of the vacancy shall elect some qualified person to
fill such vacancy for the unexpired term. In case of a
vacancy for any reason in the office of mayor, the council
within four weeks of the occurrence of the vacancy shall
elect some qualified person to serve as acting mayor for the
unexpired term. Any vacancies in either the council or
the office of mayor shall be filled by a majority vote of
all the members of the council. In case the mayor or any
councilman shall fail to qualify within five days of notifi-
cation of election, a vacancy shall exist to be filled as pro-
vided in this section. The council shall immediately certify
any vote so taken to the city clerk. The city clerk shall
record the vote and shall forthwith notify the person so
elected, who shall within five days of notice qualify in the
same manner as regularly elected city officials.

53. Failure to Act. Should any person fail to perform
any duties which are prescribed for him under Sections 34