Woman stopped at early voting because 'Bush' was on T-shirt

[Tab]

McWhorter wore her Bush Meter Reading shirt and cap into SportsCom to cast her ballot in the presidential election.

But when she entered the facility, a poll officer informed McWhorter she couldn't come in because of the "Bush" name on her shirt and cap.
...
McWhorter said she told the poll officer the shirt was for business purposes and was not political. McWhorter wears the shirt and cap while working so residents will know she's a meter reader and not just someone walking through yards.

"I wouldn't vote for Bush anyway," McWhorter said.
http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041026/NEWS01/410260318/1002

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[joshcryer]

1. Hehehe, cute. But can they legitimately stop someone...

...from wearing their candidates pens or signs or whatever? I didn't know that. That's crazy.

[Tempest]

2. Political messages have to be kept away from polling stations

On edit: According to the article the limit is 100 feet, not 500.

Otherwise can you imagine not only the chaos, but the pressure some people can put on voters?

[demokatgurrl]

13. TEN feet, at least here in PA. n/t

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

23. In Ohio...

voters can wear whatever they like. Inside poll workers (and campaign officials who are present) may not wear any campaign buttons, stickers, etc.

[TexasSissy]

3. They do here in Texas. It's not crazy. The place would turn into a

madhouse if everyone were allowed to wear their gear. People would get into arguments, etc. I agree with the policy (or the law or whatever it is).

We're there to vote. We stand in line and then vote, w/o anyone knowing how anyone else in line is going to vote. No reason to discuss the election or get into an argument.

That's why campaigners are allowed only outside a certain perameter of the polling place. The polling place itself is supposed to be neutral. I think most of us voters like it that way.

[joshcryer]

5. Bleh, people need to learn to be civil. I understand what you're...

...saying though.

[KayLaw]

4. Yes, they can

I wore my McBride shirt to the polls two years ago because I was manning a booth outside. I had to cover up with a jacket to vote.

[Hobarticus]

6. The signs says NO CAMPAIGNING.

They prohibit that to avoid intimidation and coercion at the polls. Nothing crazy or fascist about it at all.

If she showed up with a shirt from Kerry Meat Packing, she'd have been turned away too. As well she should. It's bad luck that she wore that shirt to vote, and she didn't know it'd casue a stink, but the intent of the rule is sound.

Watch the freeps have a fit.

[Not Me]

10. There is a flaw in the law in Florida (what else is new)

We have a law prohibiting electioneering within 50 feet of the polling place on election day...however, both parties have found that the loophole is "election day" and it doesn't apply to early voting. At least for now.

They are trying to get this fixed asap.

[Tab]

11. That was my understanding

It was always my understanding there was no campaigning within x feet of the voting area. Once you were in the safe zone you were supposed to be free of people trying to influence your vote by handing out literature or intimidating you or whatever.

But that's different than someone wearing a button/sticker for another candidate.

And even THAT is way different than having an unrelated business name like "Bush Lawn Care" or whatever.

Sheesh.

Yeah, you're right - freepers will have a fit.

[Hobarticus]

25. Think like a freeper for a minute:

If you wanted to swamp a polling place, you'd print up a hundred t-shirts with BUSH LAWN CARE all over them, with flags and all, in red white and blue, for voters to wear when they voted. Even if it was a fictional business, you'd do it just to get your candidate's name in the polling place.

Stickers and buttons are still forbidden, and again for a good reason. If a hundred people are hanging around after they vote, wearing Bush buttons or stickers, isn't that coercion as well?

There's a zero-tolerance policy towards anything with any candidates' name on it, for a reason.

[darkism]

7. What an unfortunate name that woman has. n/t

[Bronco69]

8. It's called electioneering

and it doesn't matter which side you're on, it's illegal.

[Fleshdancer]

9. With the large amount of first time voters we'll be seeing...

It would be a good idea to explain all the weird little rules before they go to the polling place. This rule is pretty common but odd to a first time voter (atleast it was to me when I was 18)

[joshcryer]

15. I've been voting for 3 terms now (in national elections)...

...and I swear, I never noticed this rule. I never stumped for anyone though.

[KansDem]

12. But...but...what about the "undecideds?"

They may need to have a name or two to consider before actually stepping into the polling booth...

"I...I...I'm ready to close the curtain behind me and I STILL don't know who to vote for! If only I could see at least ONE NAME before the curtain closes, I'll be fine...AAAHHHHHGGGG, the curtain is closing!!! AAAHHHHHGGGG....!!!!"

[BattyDem]

14. Don't know if it's state or federal, but ...

that's the law. No campaigning in the polling place. You can't display any kind of political message when voting.

[jdsmith]

16. Okay, so what if a candidate's name is "Francine Old Navy"?

Or "Bucky Gap"?

The chaos!!

[joshcryer]

17. Hahaha! Indeed.

That would be beautiful.

[BattyDem]

19. Let's hope ...

Tommy Hilfiger never runs for office! :evilgrin:

[davhill]

18. We need to start a minor party

and run candidates with names like Calvin Kline and Gucci so people wearing those labels will have to be turned away from the polls.

[joshcryer]

20. You know what would be beautiful? If we went in with...

KE on one shirt, RR on another shirt, and Y on a third shirt. :)

[sister moon]

21. I must be a criminal

I wore my Kerry-Edwards button and a big K-E sticker on my purse into the Supervisor of Elections Office in Orlando when I early-voted. Nobody said a word to me.

[Divine Discontent]

22. ...

CRIMINAL



ty for the laugh!

[Dem Agog]

24. Best part of the article? "I didn't vote for Bush anyway"... :)

[sisenor]

26. In what state is Bush going to have his VIGILANTES?

Because maybe people voting Kerry there need to put on a decoy BUSH-CHENEY button. Either that or get harassed.