FYI ...for those of you who might not know....

[Claire Beth]

you cannot wear political shirts (example KERRY/Edwards) to the polls to vote. I know most know this but just in case thought I'd put this post out. I just want to prevent anyone from being turned away for having on a Kerry Edwards Tshirt.

[Radio-Active]

1. really?

why? what about buttons?

[Claire Beth]

4. no buttons either

a friend of mine had on one and she was told to remove it.

[Doohickie]

40. Yes, buttons too

I was told by the poll greeter that if someone had campaign-related attire, they could either take it off, or if that was not practical, they could wear a smock provided by the polling place while they were in there.

[cynatnite]

2. I was told this last night

I have to watch how I park my car because I'm not willing to take the bumper sticker off.

[Claire Beth]

7. bumper stickers are fine

I have two on my car.

[npincus]

49. WHERE is that? I don't believe that can be right.

[burrowowl]

62. Federal Law

and has been like this for at least 40 years. When did you start voting?

[burrowowl]

61. Has to be 100 ft from

polling place.

[JusticeForAll]

68. Please post the law if you are going to cite one.

Do a google on

"Campaigning polling place feet"

and you will find a wide variety of laws regarding distances. None is consistent, state by state. If you need your specific state law, if one exists, add it to the google search you just did.

[burrowowl]

77. New Mexico State Law

I am an election judge.
If people have t-shirts with candidate infor, they have to go to the bathroom and turn them inside-out.

[Randi_Listener]

3. Topless?

Ladies?

[Shopaholic]

6. Same goes for badges, buttons, pins, etc.--

in most states there is a designated number of feet (or yards) away from the voting location that you can be to wear or display these items.

[Randi_Listener]

14. I just want to see the topless women.

That would make the wait verrah nice.

[meganmonkey]

28. sorry, i think that's against the rules too, friend...

but we should pick that up as our cause du jour after we get kerry elected, secure a peaceful resolution in Iraq & Afghanistan, get back in the Kyoto treaty, provide health insurance for everyone, improve the schools, etc. etc.

frankly, as a woman, i think it would be great if we could not only go topless legally, but also in practice. in the few places in the u.s. where it is legal, thanks to drooling men with cameras and such, very few women take advantage of their freedom.

[SheilaT]

29. It would depend on the

woman. There are some you would not want to see topless. Trust me.

[Randi_Listener]

31. Oh my!

[Minnesota_Lib]

70. I don't know, but it seems to me that a pair of boobs.....

...could qualify as a Bush/Cheney endorsement. :-)

[Toots]

39. Yes that is manditory

:evilgrin:

[ClassWarrior]

67. Are you suggesting that the women of DU...

...bounce their boobies at the polls??

24.

[Mad_Dem_X]

74. I can't do that!

I'll give myself 2 black eyes, and then I won't be able to see the ballot! LOL:evilgrin:

[Xenus Sister]

5. Also, if you're in line *before* the polls close, they have to let

you vote. Millions will be getting off work and going to the polls. Lines will be insane. Go during the day if you can.

I know people know that too. :-)

[Claire Beth]

9. exactly....

everyone needs to be aware of their rights. Let's get the vote out and take back our country!!!!

[Doohickie]

37. Good news is that the unemployed will have plenty of time to vote.

[meganmonkey]

8. I think it's state-by-state

some states allow it. but i'm not sure.

[Claire Beth]

12. no state that I'm aware of allows it...

but I'm not positive that it's a blanket rule.

[meganmonkey]

25. i could be wrong...

i tried to find a good link but my connection is soooo slooooow i gave up. so i'll assume it's true everyhwere

[betterdeadthanred]

34. Kentucky does

You just cannot point to the object or draw any attention to it while in line. I am a poll worker and we were told this during training. Poll workers, naturally, cannot wear anything of the sort.

[Hog lover]

36. In Arkansas, if you are in line when polls close, you get to vote - eom

[maine_raptor]

10. Yup, no poltick'in near the polls

In Maine it's within 700 ft of the polling place. That includes buttons, tee shirts, stickers, and the like. (Don't think it applies to bumper stickers unless you park too close.)

Most states have this rule, distance varies, check with local officals before you go in.

[American liberal]

13. In Illinois, I think it's 500 feet, but I thought

that only applied to campaigners and exit pollers, you know, the people who stand outside the polling place and encourage you to vote one way or another or try to find out who you voted for (I was an exit poller once for ABC). I did not think that applied to voters...

[phish420]

17. exactly

[maine_raptor]

18. If you're wearing a Kerry button,

considered a "campaigner"....basic rule....don't give the bastards something to send you back to the end of the line or prevent you from voting.

[October]

41. I've never heard of this for voters...only workers

As a candidate, my husband had to be like 50 feet or so away from the voting area...which put them all outside the door...but I've not heard of any law prohibiting buttons and such on voters.

Wow.

[doni_georgia]

44. In Ga it's within 150 feet of the polls. People are always standing on

road at the entrance to the polling precincts on election day with signs. You just can't get within 150 feet. I will have to park down on the street Tuesday, because my car is a rolling Kerry advertisement.

[betterdeadthanred]

35. Again, in KY there is no such law now

It was 500 feet till this year when someone sued that it was against their free speech rights. This election, electionering can be done all the way to the doorway, they just cannot block the voter in any way.

[CheshireCat]

11. So I've heard!

Strange. I've been voting since 1972 in SC and have always worn T-shirts and button. So do at least half the people. I have never seen anyone called on it.

Is this something new?

[Claire Beth]

15. It isn't new here....

but you might want to check to be sure because they are going to be more strict in this election than in any other.

[phish420]

16. I dont think that is accurate...

...if you are WORKING the polls, yes...but as a voter, in line, no, you can wear whatever you want I think!

[dweller]

19. i believe you are correct

and the the op is mistaken.

saw buttons and t-shirts in our early voting lines.

dp

[Claire Beth]

24. I'm not mistaken.....

there were people who had buttons on at our voting place too but were told they had to remove them when they got within the boundary 100 ft of bldg.

[maine_raptor]

20. Maybe in your state, but not mine

Just check before hand to be sure. Why give them an excuse to challenge you?

[Claire Beth]

21. not so....

we were told that voters cannot wear buttons, tshirts either. I can understand that rule...if it was your first time to vote and you were planning to vote for Kerry and every person in the room had a Bush tshirt on it might be a LITTLE intimidating. Now it wouldn't cause me to change my vote but I can understand why they don't allow it.

[babylonsister]

22. This seems silly to me when

you walk out the door, at least in TX, and signs for every candidate blanket the surrounding parking lots. Voted this week and have mentioned buxom blondie w/a big fat Shrubbie pin on her boob. Don't know if she was asked to remove it prior to voting.

[Spinzonner]

23. In California it's 100 ft

and applies to clothing, buttons, written material, speech and bumper stickers (That's going to be diffiuclt to enforce).

[Claire Beth]

27. It's 100 ft in Tennessee too.

[juliagoolia]

54. IN TX too..

Its called Electioneering.. (sp) Anyway I am sitting just beyond the 100ft handing out water and info..wearing my Dem T-Shirt.. but have a camera and an overshirt to throw on if something happens.

[Ilsa]

26. You can definitely tell where the limit is at polling places

in Texas. The signs stop abruptly. Nothing else allowed.

I wouldn't bother wearing the stuff to the polling place if there was a chance someone would cause me to have to stay longer than needed.

[creeksneakers2]

30. I think its 15 feet in PA n/t

[American liberal]

32. what state are you in, Claire_beth?

[Chimpanzee]

33. Anyone that didn't already vote is certifiably nut n/t - j/k

[chefgirl]

45. OR...

Maybe certfiably in a state that doesn't allow early voting. :think:

-chef-

[AnIndependentTexan]

38. That is why we MOSH

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1245194&mesg_id=1245194

[Catt03]

42. Right Claire Beth

I voted tonight in Delray Beach, FL. and they told people to take off their hats with Kerry/Edwards and pins. Some people they missed.

[Maylee]

43. I'm wearing my black hoody nt

[high density]

46. Free speech

I'll tell them to talk to Mark Hyman if they need the details about it.

[Claire Beth]

50. We don't need to lose any votes over a technicality

that can be avoided. If Chimpy gets back in there may not be FREE SPEECH for very long. I know that is a long shot but not by much.

[davepc]

64. the original intent

of the laws was to prevent intimidation of voters. you should be allowed to vote in a space that doesn't look like Bush campaign headquarters via the efforts of a few people wearing shirts and buttons and other insignia.

Wear your Kerry shirt, just zip up your jacked first before you go into the polling place. Wear your button, just take it off when you go inside to vote.

Voter intimidation has many forms, and one way to help prevent it is to make the voting area as neutral as possible.

[American liberal]

47. I finally found examples of electioneering rules!

Here's what they say in Nevada
http://www.co.clark.nv.us/election/2004/cf/camp_prac.htm

CAMPAIGNING AND ELECTIONEERING

Restrictions: Nevada Revised Statutes’ sections 293.3572, 293.361 and 293.740 govern campaigning / electioneering. The rules differ for early voting and election day:


Early Voting:
If the voting site is located on private property (mall, supermarket, etc.), no one may electioneer on the owner’s property without the owner’s permission (NRS 293.3572).

If the voting site is located on public property, no one may electioneer within 100 feet of the voting area (NRS 293.361).

Election Day: No one may electioneer within 100 feet of the entrance to the building or structure in which a polling place is located (NRS 293.740).

Definition: NRS 293.740 defines electioneering as campaigning for or against a candidate, ballot question or political party by:

Posting signs
Distributing literature
Using loudspeakers
Buying, selling, wearing or displaying any badge, button or other insignia, except that a person may wear political insignia while voting only if he/she is reasonably unable to cover it bold added for emphasis
Polling or soliciting from a voter information as to how the voter intends to vote or has voted
Soliciting signatures of any kind

Here's Illinois code. It doesn't say anything about voters wearing signage, just no electioneering less than 100 feet from polling place:

http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=001000050HArt.+19&ActID=170&ChapAct=10%A0ILCS%A05%2F&ChapterID=3&ChapterName=ELECTIONS&SectionID=36604&SeqStart=76100&SeqEnd=79000&ActName=Election+Code.

(10 ILCS 5/19‑2.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 19‑2.2)
Sec. 19‑2.2. (a) During the period beginning on the 40th day preceding an election and continuing through the day preceding such election, no advertising pertaining to any candidate or proposition to be voted upon shall be displayed in or within 100 feet of any room used by voters pursuant to this Article, or, at the option of a church or private school, on any of the property of that church or private school that is a polling place; nor shall any person engage in electioneering in or within 100 feet of any such room, or, at the option of a church or private school, on any of the property of that church or private school that is a polling place. Any person who violates this Section may be punished as for contempt of court.
(b) Election officers shall place 2 or more cones, small United States national flags, or some other marker a distance of 100 horizontal feet from each entrance to the room used by voters to engage in voting, or, at the option of a church or private school, on any of the property of that church or private school that is a polling place, which shall be known as the polling room. If the polling room is located within a building that is a private business, a public or private school, or a church or other organization founded for the purpose of religious worship and the distance of 100 horizontal feet ends within the interior of the building, then the markers shall be placed outside of the building at each entrance used by voters to enter that building on the grounds adjacent to the thoroughfare or walkway. If the polling room is located within a public or private building with 2 or more floors and the polling room is located on the ground floor, then the markers shall be placed 100 horizontal feet from each entrance to the polling room used by voters to engage in voting. If the polling room is located in a public or private building with 2 or more floors and the polling room is located on a floor above or below the ground floor, then the markers shall be placed a distance of 100 feet from the nearest elevator or staircase used by voters on the ground floor to access the floor where the polling room is located. The area within where the markers are placed shall be known as a campaign free zone, and electioneering is prohibited pursuant to this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a church or private school may choose to apply the campaign free zone to its entire property, and, if so, the markers shall be placed near the boundaries on the grounds adjacent to the thoroughfares or walkways leading to the entrances used by the voters.
The area on polling place property beyond the campaign free zone, whether publicly or privately owned, is a public forum for the time that the polls are open on an election day. At the request of election officers any publicly owned building must be made available for use as a polling place. A person shall have the right to congregate and engage in electioneering on any polling place property while the polls are open beyond the campaign free zone, including but not limited to, the placement of temporary signs. This subsection shall be construed liberally in favor of persons engaging in electioneering on all polling place property beyond the campaign free zone for the time that the polls are open on an election day.
(c) The regulation of electioneering on polling place property on an election day, including but not limited to the placement of temporary signs, is an exclusive power and function of the State. A home rule unit may not regulate electioneering and any ordinance or local law contrary to subsection (b) is declared void. This is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.
(Source: P.A. 93‑574, eff. 8‑21‑03; 93‑847, eff. 7‑30‑04.)

As Claire_beth mentioned, it's best to err on the side of caution, but I think it's safe to say that each state has its own rules and you better know what your state rules are before showing up at the polls with all your buttons and caps and stuff. Better safe than sorry.

Peace,
AL

[American liberal]

48. here's another link on the topic...

situation in CA

http://www.calblog.com/archives/002829.html

[elcondor]

51. Is this a rule in Ohio?

I told a friend he could wear his shirt earlier this week. I still have time to tell him he can't--anyone know for sure?

EDIT: he's just a regular voter; not protesting or a poll worker

[Claire Beth]

55. I am pretty sure it is a rule everywhere....

better safe than sorry. I do know that it includes both poll workers and VOTERS alike. I heard a story today of someone who went to vote yesterday and their infant had a Kerry/Edwards tshirt on and she was turned away. She had been waiting for quite a long time and she got pissed and left. She may not return and it's sad to lose a vote over something that can be avoided.

[pk_du]

52. Any chance that wearing a stupid F-ing

Chimp-in-chief grin will get you turned away?

[Morning Dew]

53. The Repuke poll watchers will probably call it campaigning if . . .

you are "Kerrying" anything in your hands.

[tokenlib]

56. Here in MI in 1992, I had my t-shirt.......

...on under my coat. And the repuke observer bitched that they could see it because my jacket was half unzipped. The poll worker blew off the complaint, but it demonstrated how petty these observers can be.

[Claire Beth]

57. yeah...

I hope someone will keep this thread kicked so that anyone who does not know will become aware of this potential problem.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

58. I had to ladies I drove to the polls who wore them

But, it was early voting and a small precinct, also they were older then dirt so perhaps they just squeaked through.

[Virginian]

59. In training we were told... (Virginia)

1. No campaigning within 40 feet of the polling place. This does not mean the room, it means the building.
2. The Election Chief who sat in training beside me said that she does not even allow VOTERS to wear Elephant or Donkey earrings when they are in the room with the voting booths.
3. Anyone in line at 7:00 (our poll closing time) gets to vote. Even if they are standing in line until 10:30, they still get to vote if they were there before the polls closed at 7:00.
4. We are trying to direct traffic to make sure there is an order to the lines on Tuesday. We will be posting signs directing the voters to a specific entrance. At 6:45, I plan to take those down and allow anyone to get into the building from any entrance so that they can be in line by 7:00 and not looking for an entrance.
5. We have to be there the whole day, from 5:00 until after the votes are counted. It will be an extremely long day for us. With bond issues causing the voter to take longer in the booth, the lines will be slow.

[Virginian]

60. Wear your Black Hoodie

If any observers in my precinct complain, I will tell them they are losing their minds. I am old enough to not know what they are talking about.

[burrowowl]

63. KICK

[Paradise]

65. well, thank you. i didn't know that. n/t

[ClassWarrior]

66. FWIW, you can't CAMPAIGN at the polls...

...but a tshirt or pin or somesuch is fine. However, this year, you may want to avoid the hassle from red-faced freep challengers and leave the campaign stuff in the car.

24.

[Claire Beth]

69. no it is not fine when people are being turned away.

I had to remove my kerry/edwards button and someone posted earlier that a lady was turned away after having waited a long time just because her infant had a K/E shirt on. It is considered campaigning and poll workers from several states have been told to enforce this rule.

[fleetus]

71. The title of your message is ambiguous.

If you are trying to get this message out, you might change the title to be more specific about what your message is. I didn't even know it was about voting or partisan clothing until I haphazardly clicked on it! Just a thought.

[Kay Autic]

72. 300ft in Oklahoma

Article VII in Chapter A1 of Title 26-

No person shall be allowed to electioneer within three hundred (300) feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress, nor shall any person or persons, except election officials and other persons authorized by law, be allowed within fifty (50) feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress. No printed material other than that provided by the election board shall be publicly placed or exposed within three hundred (300) feet of any ballot box, while an election is in progress.

http://www.oscn.net/applications/OCISWeb/deliverdocument.asp?citeID=78549

[LibDemAlways]

73. A Texas Dem called

c-span this am to complain that at her Houston area polling place chimp/Cheney signs and buttons were everywhere, and that for her it was an intimidating place to vote.

Another Houston area Dem called to say her polling place was a public library named for Barbara Bush. She showed up wearing a tee-shirt with photos of the chimp and his father that read "Dumb and Dumber" and was turned away.

[Bridget Burke]

75. Democrats, yes. But scared & stupid Democrats we don't need.

Especially in Texas.

[Bridget Burke]

76. Are there really that many DU'ers who've never voted before?

The relevant section from the Federal Election Commission's site has been taken down. I found this in Google's cache---is it still accurate?

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:Ira4rtiNSd0J:www.fec.gov/pages/faqvdayeprocedures.htm+state+election+laws+electioneering+distance&hl=en

In just about every state, "electioneering" is kept distant from the polling site. Distances vary per state. Are there different interpretations of "electioneering"? Perhaps.

Suggestion: Don't wear your Kerry gear to vote.