Sec.6.  If no objection is made to an elector’s voting, the ballot is put into the box, and the clerks enter his name on the poll-list.  If the inspectors suspect that a person offering to vote is not a qualified elector, they may question him upon his oath in respect to his qualifications as to age, the term of his residence in the state and county, and citizenship.  Any bystander also may question his right to vote.  This is called challenging.  A person thus challenged is not allowed to vote until the challenge is withdrawn, or his qualifications are either proved by the testimony of other persons, or sworn to by himself.

Sec.7.  In a few states, the voters are registered.  A list is kept of the names of all who have, upon examination, been ascertained to be qualified electors; and those only whose names are on the register are allowed to vote.  Thus many interruptions to voting by the examination of voters at the polls, and much illegal voting, are prevented.  Voters in some states are also required to take what is called the “elector’s oath,” in which they promise to be true and faithful to the state and its government, and to the constitution of the United States; and to give their votes as they shall judge will conduce to the best good of the same.

Sec.8.  After the polls are closed, the box is opened, and the ballots are counted.  If the number of ballots agrees with the number of names on the poll-lists, it is presumed no mistake has been made, either in voting or in keeping the lists.  If the election is one for the choosing of town officers, it is there determined who are elected, and their election is publicly declared.

Sec.9.  The election of county and state officers can not be determined by the town canvassers.  A statement of the votes given in each town for the persons voted for, is sent to the county canvassers, who, from the returns of votes from all the towns, determine and declare the election of the officers chosen for the county.  To determine the election of state officers, and of such others as are elected for districts comprising more than one county, a statement of the votes given for the several candidates, is sent by the several boards of county canvassers to the state canvassers, who, from the returns of votes from the several counties, determine the election of the state officers.

Sec.10.  In a few states, voting at elections is done viva voce.  These words mean by word of mouth.  In voting in this manner, the elector speaks the name of the person for whom he votes.

Sec.11.  In most of the states, persons are elected by a plurality of votes.  An election by plurality is when the person elected has received a higher number of votes than any other, though such number be less than a majority of all the votes given.  Suppose, for example, three candidates receive 1000 votes:  One receives 450; another, 300; the third, 250 votes.  The first, having the highest number, though not a majority, is elected.  In the New England, or eastern states, a majority, that is, more than one-half of all the votes given, is necessary to the election of many of the higher officers.  The least number of votes out of 1000, by which a person can be elected by this rule, is 501.