Hustings

In English law

The name of a court held before the lord mayor and aldermen of London. It is the principal and supreme court of the city.

See 2 Inst. 327; St. Armand, Hist. Essay, Leg. Power Eng. 75.

This name is also applied to some courts in Virginia. The place of meeting to choose a member of parliament. The term is used in Canadian as well as English law. The manner of conducting an election in Canada and England for a member of the legislative body is substantially as follows: Upon warrant from the proper officer, a writ issues from the clerk of the crown in chancery, directed to the sheriff, registrar, or other returning officer of the electoral division. He thereupon issues and posts in public places a proclamation appointing a day, place and hour for his holding an election, and also fixing a day when a poll will be opened, if one be demanded and granted. The first day is called "nomination day." On this day he proceeds to the hustings, which must be in the open air, and accessible to all the voters, proclaims the purpose of the election, and calls upon the electors present to name the person they require to represent them. The electors then make a show of hands, which may result in an election, or a poll may be demanded by a candidate or by any elector. On such demand, a poll is opened in each township, ward, or parish of the election district, at the places prescribed by statute.