Elections

OPINION 50-60 July 3, 1950 (OPINION) ELECTIONS RE: Precinct Committeemen Your letter of June thirtieth asking four questions re county precinct committeemen has been received. I will answer your questions in the order stated: Question No. 1. If a legislator is also elected precinct committeeman from his precinct, is he entitled to one vote or two? It is our opinion that such a committeeman could have only one vote on the committee. Question No. 2. If he is only entitled to one vote, can he name a proxy for the other vote, although he is not absent? In our opinion he cannot name a proxy in this situation. However, if he is to be absent, he may name a proxy to act for him. Question No. 3. Must a proxy for a precinct committeeman be a legal voter of that precinct? In our opinion a proxy must be a legal voter of the precinct for which he is to act. Question No. 4. In precincts where no precinct committeeman was elected, is this considered a vacancy and how can it be filled? In our opinion, if no committeeman was elected, and there is no holdover, there is a vacancy, which is filled by appointment by the county executive committee. If there is a holdover, he continues as committeeman, since his election was for a term of four years, or until his successor is elected and qualified. ELMO T. CHRISTIANSON Attorney General