Are you allowed to wear your campaign gear to your polling place?

[Maddy McCall]

In my precinct, during the recent gubernatorial election, I had a Musgrove (Dem incumbent) sticker on my tee shirt...a small circle about 1 1/2" in diameter. The lady at the register, where I signed in, told me that I was not allowed to wear any campaign stuff into the polling place. Instead of arguing with her, I took off the sticker and folded it in half.

I have been voting for over twenty years. This was the first time anyone has ever admonished me about this. I want to wear my Kerry-Edwards shirt to the polls next Tuesday. Wonder if I will be turned away?

Do federal, state, or local laws cover this issue? I know that the woman who told me to remove the sticker is a Republican--she's still a poll worker and she has numerous Republican signs in her yard. If she's in the right, though, I don't want to raise a stink with a losing argument.

What's been your experiences? your knowledge of any law governing this?

[flamingyouth]

1. I was always asked to remove political buttons when I voted in person

But I saw everyone have to follow the same rule. When I first registered to vote, I was living with my parents in a mixed D & R neighborhood, so I saw both parties' members have to remove buttons, etc.

Now I vote absentee and have for a few years.

[Dob Bole]

2. You can't in my state...

The law is something like no campaign stuff 100 yards from a polling place. Not sure if it's a state (Georgia) or federal law though.

[TexasSissy]

3. I've always known this. But I don't recall how or why.

Just like you can't take literature in with you, and like a campaign pusher can't stand w/in so many feet of the entrance to the polling place, voters can't wear campaign-pushing signs and clothing.

[2bfree]

5. Not in Texas...........

I think it has to do with intimidation in the polling places.

[crispini]

11. You CAN take literature in with you.

Like a voters guide. You're just not supposed to show it around.

[TexasSissy]

16. Not here in Texas. You can't even take in the leaflets that are passed

to you by campaigners outside the polling places. Something about someone giving you a list telling you how you should vote. No literature allowed. Not even the newspaper that reflects what the choices are.

[crispini]

17. Yes, you can, even here in Texas.

I just went to election judge training in Dallas, Saturday, so I know this. :D

[hobbit709]

4. the only button

I put on is the same one that I've used for 30 years.
"I AM AN
ENEMY
OF THE STATE"

[oldschoolguy]

6. Here is a new angle on this from Texas...

One of the suburbs of Dallas (I think Arlington) is having a vote on public financing for a new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. Voters cannot wear Cowboy T-shirts, hats, etc. to the polling places. Makes sense, just interesting.

Considering the team's 2-4 record----I'm sure it will not be an issue.

[David__77]

7. Not allowed in California, and it shouldn't be.

I don't think there should be any campaign materials within a certain distance of polls. That includes t-shirts, signs and so forth. It gets iffy with bumper stickers though.

[tnlefty]

8. No, and it is strictly enforced. I complained to the election commissioner

about a worker who frequently wore an elephant necklace while she was working in the polls and the commissioner had a fit and stated that 'I know that she knows better than to do that and I'll put a stop to it today'.

When I've been at the polls holding signs and talking to people there is a marker that designates how far away from the building campaign anything has to be. If I had to go to the bathroom or closer to the building I had to remove buttons, put on and button up a sweater over a shirt, etc.

[murphymom]

9. A few elections ago

when I was living in California I went to my polling place wearing a pair of red, white and blue donkey earrings and the poll worker asked me to take them off while I was in the polling place. I thought that was a little anal, but I complied.

Now in Oregon with vote by mail I can wear all my Kerry gear and vote at my kitchen table! (turned in my ballot over the weekend!)

[merh]

10. The poll workers will turn you away!

You cannot wear campaign items or clothing. I will try to find you the state statue on this.

SEC. 23-15-895. Prohibition against distribution of campaign material within 150 feet of polling place; prohibition against appearance of certain persons at polling place while armed, uniformed, or displaying badge or credentials.

It shall be unlawful for any candidate for an elective office, or any representative of such candidate, or for any proponent or opponent of any constitutional amendment, local issue or other measure printed on the ballot to post or distribute cards, posters or other campaign literature within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any entrance of the building wherein any election is being held. It shall be unlawful for any candidate or a representative named by him in writing to appear at any polling place while armed or uniformed, nor shall he display any badge or credentials except as may be issued by the manager of the polling place. As used in this section, the term "local issue" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 23-15-375.


SOURCES: Derived from 1972 Code Sec. 23-3-17 ; En, Laws, 1986, ch. 495, Sec. 275, eff from and after January 1, 1987. Laws, 1994, ch. 494, Sec. 1, eff from and after June 23, 1994 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objection to the amendment of this section)
http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/23/015/0895.htm

[Maddy McCall]

14. Thank you for looking that up for me!

:-)

[merh]

15. Why, you are so welcome!

I would hate it if the poll workers turned you away! (I know of one woman that was wearing a candidate's t-shirt and the poll workers told her she had to go change, so she took her top off and wore it inside out! She was not going to be detered!)

:P

[ncgrits]

12. I did in NC today. . . .

Wore my button, not even thinking about it. When I got to the desk, the lady at the computer glanced at it and then made eye-contact with me and smiled. I guess she was giving me a break. . . . Don't know.

Wouldn't have mattered anyway. Everyone in line (about 25 or 30) all had their Democratic Voter Guides with them. I wasn't influencing anybody--not in that crowd!

[gratuitous]

13. It's called "electioneering"

And it's usually forbidden by state law or statute within some specified distance (like 100 feet) of a polling place. Most precinct workers will simply ask you to remove your button/sticker/whatever.

It's a good rule, though, and means that polling places are supposed to be places where you cast your ballot in relative peace and calm. So, wear your buttons proudly all day long on November 2 (and every day leading up to then), but take them off when you go in to vote. Then put 'em back on again when you leave.