OF ELECTION IN TASMANIA. 



85 



HOW ILLITERATE PERSONS — WITHOUT PERSONAL AID — MAY 

 RECORD THE FIGURES 1, 2, 3, ETC., IN THE DESIRED 

 ORDER OF PREFERENCE WITH THE GREATEST EASE AND 

 WITH PERFECT ACCURACY. 



In addition to marking-pencils let there be provided in the 

 veiled recording chamber a shelf holding as many figure 

 stamps as there are seats. For Hobart six, for Launceston four. 

 Let the size and sequence of position of these stamps correspond 

 exactly with the figures which the several stamps are devised 

 to impress when stamped against, and in front of, the name 

 selected ; thus : — 



1. Thus, for the first choice, let the voter select the first and 



tallest, stamp and stamp it exactly in front and level with 

 the name of his first choice. 



2. For the second preference, take the second stamp in order 



and the second in height, and impress it similarly 

 against the name of the second candidate of his 

 preference. 



3. For the third preference, take the third stamp in order and 



the third in height, and impress it similarly against the 

 name of the third candidate of his preference. 



4. Continue to impress the remaining three stamps in the 



order of place and height (if desired) against the names 



of candidates whose degree of favour in the voter's eye 



is marked, in every case, by the order of position 



relative to the first ; and the gradually diminishing 



height of the stamp corresponding with this order, and 



with the diminishing interest of the voter. 



When an illiterate person grasps the fact that the first and 



bigaest stamp is to be used only for the first preference, and the 



smallest and last stamp for that of one of the six 



candidates who stands lowest in his esteem, all his difficulties 



of recording his choice, secretly and accurately, vanish. 



A separate ink-pad for the stamps may be avoided by the 

 use of the seif-inking and self-adjusting stamps now commonly 

 used in public offices. To ensure greater success, a lesson in 



