Reply #9: I would think that would be highly inappropriate. Voting is private [View All]

[rasputin1952]

and secret. When one adds the intimidation of cameras into the polling place, it sends a chill down the spine.

I was a Poll worker in Mohave County AZ one year, the law, (at that time, it may have changed), was that there was to be no interference or electioneering within 100 feet of the polling place. Some RWnuts showed up w/Reagan signs and a bullhorn, set up right on the steps and began long tirades at those who were coming to cast a vote. I went out and said they'd have to move to outside the barrier line and decrease the volume or not use the bullhorn, I was ignored. I did what we were told to do, I went in, called a special # we were given in case there were "irregularities" at the polling place and w/in 5 minutes the Dept of Public Safety, (State Troopers), showed up, took the signs, bullhorn and people and carted them away. No questions, no requests to move, they were arrested on the spot after one of the DPS Sgt's read them their Rights and charged them. It was an amazing thing to watch. Several people who had stayed outside of the barrier came forward to cast their ballots, relief written all over their faces, they had indeed been intimidated by those who insisted on their "1st Amendment Rights"

I'm all for the 1st Amendment, I think it is one of the most important things a society has ever come up with, but laws and regulations were put in place so that intimidation would not become the norm. I would think that cameras would have the same effect, they would create an atmosphere of intimidation.