Atlanta Daily World

Ark. Democrat Head Rules Race May Vote Answers That Qualified Can Vote In Primary

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (SNS) "Election judges should allow Negroes to vote in the Democratic primary elections this summer provided they possess a poll tax receipt and otherwise appear qualified," Joe C. Barrett of Jonesboro, chairman of the Democratic State Committee, on Monday.

He was asked hypothetical question: "An election judge is confronted by a Negro voter possessing a poll tax receipt and apparently eligible to vote under the recent United States Supreme Court ruling in the Texas "white primary" case. His inclination is to give the Negro a ballot to avoid possible federal prosecution. What should he do?"

"Let him vote," Barrett replied. Mr. Barrett previously had expressed the belief there was no necessity for the Democratic State Committee, which met here 10 days ago, to change party rules as (Continued on Page 4, Col. 4)
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Ark. Democrat

recommended by a committee of lawyers appointed to study the question.

The committee had recommended that the rule lifting membership in the party to "white" electors with certain other qualifications be changed to eliminate the word "white." It also recommended a change which would allow disqualification of voters on several grounds by a majority of the election judges. In case of a contest a review of the county committee or a court was provided.

After a last minute request from Governor Adkins to take no action the matter was not presented at the State Committee meeting. Charles Coleman, a member of the special committee, said later he believed State Committee action was necessary to protect election officials who might be inclined to follow the party rules in the face of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Asked whether he would call the committee together again in the light of Mr. Coleman's suggestion, Barrett said he would not. In the meantime, some Democratic party officials have indicated that they did not think the Negro voting problem would be serious this year but said it might in future years.