I was ordered to remove my Kerry button

[11 Bravo]

before entering the polling place. Some 30-something repub poll watcher told me that campaign buttons, literature, etc., were not allowed within 50 feet of a polling place. I politely informed him that I was not affiliated with any campaign and that I was a private citizen exercizing both my first amendment right to free speech, and also my right to vote. He insisted that I was wrong and demanded the button. I not so politely informed him that there was only one way that my button was coming off , and that would be for him to remove it himself. I then strongly advised him not to even think about it. At that point he decided that he had better things to do. At 53 years of age, 6' tall and about 165 pounds, I'm not a particularly imposing physical specimen; but these fuckers are cowards! (I'm also an ex-combat infantryman who remembers enough hand-to-hand techniques to have jerked a knot in his ass, but the chickenshit bastard didn't know that.)

[Stuckinthebush]

1. He was right

It amounts to campaigning in a polling place.

[Mizmoon]

2. No offense, but the poll guy was right

Love ya anyway :hug:

[cheezus]

3. i'm pretty sure he was right

what state?

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. He was absolutely right. n/t

[DemoTex]

19. No he was not right.

A partisan poll watcher has no jurisdiction whatsoever to make such a request ... in most places. An accredited poll worker does.

[Cuban_Liberal]

32. Any voter may do so, at least in IL.

Regardless, your button violated electioneering laws.

[11 Bravo]

50. Most of the posters to this thread seem to agree with you, but

I spoke to two Democratic poll watchers (both lawyers) as I was leaving and they told me that I have an absolute right to wear the button. Then when I got to work I had a parent-teacher conference with my representative to the Virginia House of Delegates (his daughter is in my class), and he too said that my button is in no way prohibited.

[xultar]

5. They are all Chickenhawk lilly livered lil pansys. n/t

[SayitAintSo]

6. I had to remove mine - put it in my purse....

I didn't know there was a law. I almost work my DU tee shirt - glad I didn't now.

[RandomKoolzip]

7. The guy was right, though. Sorry.

Campaign buttons/literature, etc. are illegal at the polling place. There've been many DU posts about this in the last few weeks.

[Lex]

8. The poll worker was correct.

In some precincts, they might've asked you to leave altogether if you didn't remove the button.

[KurtNYC]

9. I'll remove my button right before I pin it through his

pointed nose.

Kudos.

[bryant69]

20. OK

Yep, here on election day, we liberals have nothing better to do than to make life hard for election workers who are only doing their f*#$ing jobs. Yep, fight a poll worker, that's what the Democratic Party is all about.

Come on.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[July]

33. Read the post, it says poll WATCHER. nt

[bryant69]

40. The law is the law, whether a Republican says it or not.

[July]

48. But it's up to the pollworkers to do something about it.

I wouldn't show ID to a pollwatcher, nor would I remove or give up a button to one. I WOULD do it for a pollworker.

[KurtNYC]

49. I don't see the point in just caving in

to the demands of any a*hole that demands I take off a button AND GIVE IT TO HIM (?). Am I really going to pin it through his nose? Yeesh.

If you are interested in Virginia election law, here it is:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+24.2-604

C. The officers of election shall permit one authorized representative of each political party or independent candidate in a general or special election, or one authorized representative of each candidate in a primary election, to remain in the room in which the election is being conducted.

So is this guy with no ID the GOP watcher? Or do we just hand over our buttons to any brownshirted dude that demands them? If the guy is legit he can ask me to TAKE THE BUTTON OFF while inside of the marked 40 foot zone BUT HE DOESN'T GET TO CONFISCATE IT.

[DemoTex]

10. Great response 2d2b!

And you nailed it: These fuckers are cowards!

[Mr_Spock]

11. I saw a guy putting his Kerry button back on in NH - not allowed!

I read that here last night - I was not aware of that before yesterday either so don't feel bad!

[Drifter]

Why do something stupid like that ? ...

Is it the principle ? Is the principle of wearing your button more important than your right to vote ?

Yeah, and beating the shit out of a poll worker who is just doing their job, would certainly help.

Cheers
Drifter

[hlthe2b]

12. Actually, they can refuse to let you vote until removing campaign related

materials, including t-shirts, buttons, etc. This is pretty much consistent throughout the country. Knowing this, I wore a shirt over my Kerry buttons and removed them from my purse. I also warned others in line--we need the votes!

I know how you feel, but this is legit. It really is meant to prevent problems within the polling areas.

[Jack Rabbit]

13. The request was a reasonable one

In most places, there is no electioneering permitted within a certain distance of the polling place (usually 100 feet).

It's a good rule and we would be wise not to violate it.

[prozacnation]

14. I salute you!

Good for you for standing your ground. I would have loved to have seen the look on his face when you told him no. It's easy to be brave when you don't have to back it up. Have a great day!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

34. Imagine if he had to remove a Kerry Edwards tattoo from his forehead

before voting.... "ouch!!".

[0007]

15. No biggie, but that's the rule for everyone.

 Vote as if your life depended on it, because it does.

Call 866 687-8683
If Poll Workers refuse you to vote for any reason
If there is a late opening or early closing of a polling place.
If your polling place runs out of ballots or has an incorrect ballot
If you experience poll worker insensitivity or discrimination in the voting process

The civil rights community have set up a toll-free Election Day hotline. This line is
staffed now and, in addition to logging your complaint, the civil rights organizations have law
students and attorneys who can provide assistance on Election Day.

the hotline number is
866 687-8683
202 457-0473 fax

[joefree1]

16. Go Aggressive Progressive!

And wear your button with your voting stub. That'll really piss off the rethuglicans.

[Caution]

17. Not only was he right, the law behind it is right

It prevents voter intimidation. While I can understand your point of view, picture the little old man/lady being intimidated by jack-booted brown shirts into who to vote for. There is no campaigning allowed within 100 feet of a polling station here in MA and as far as I knwo in most other states.

[KurtNYC]

52. This was Virginia, the zone is 40 feet and must be marked

Prior to opening the polls, the officers of election shall post, in the area within 40 feet of any entrance to the polling place, sufficient notices which state "Prohibited Area" in two-inch type. The notices shall also state the provisions of this section in not less than 24-point type. The officers of election shall post the notices within the prohibited area to be visible to voters and the public.

There is only one partisan poll WATCHER allow from each party and they must be authorized representative shall be a qualified voter of the county or city within which the polling place is located. Each representative shall present to the officers of election a written statement designating him to be a representative of the party or candidate and signed by the county or city chairman of his political party, the independent candidate, or the primary candidate, as appropriate. Such statement, bearing the chairman's or candidate's original signature, may be photocopied, and such photocopy shall be as valid as if the copy had been signed.

And they WATCH they don't enforce the law (or laws which people have made up).

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+24.2-604

[sister moon]

18. He may have been right

but I am glad you told that little panty stain off anyway!

[snacker]

21. Is this the same in all states?

I noticed people in line on TV wearing K/E stickers.

[AnnInLa]

39. Yes, I noticed the same thing

In the pics on TV of people voting early in FL (I think it was FL), most of the voters were wearing buttons and even bumper stickers. What's up with that?

[maine_raptor]

22. I don't know which State you are in, Sir, but he was right.

In just about every state I can think of, you MUST remove or cover any campaign message when you enter the polling place.

1st Amendment has nothing to do with it, really. The concept behind the law is that the polls should be a "neutral" place.

And in fact in some states the law is so strict that you CAN arrested for illegal electioneering (in Maine, it's $50 fine, I think).

[theshadow]

23. Poll workers earn...

... next to nothing plus maybe some coffee to do this thankless job. It's very hard to recruit them (for both parties). The guy was following the law; give these people a break.

[benburch]

24. He was right...

They could have arrested you on the spot.

And probably should have.

This is electioneering, and is against state and federal law.

[gratuitous]

25. It's called electioneering

And it's forbidden in (I believe) every state. Distances from polling places vary, but you're not supposed to have signs, wear buttons or stickers, or display any other paraphernalia supporting one candidate or another. You're lucky you were allowed to cast your ballot; if a law enforcement officer had been present or in the area, the officer surely would have made you remove the button or arrested you.

[MUSTANG_2004]

26. How do you know he was a Republican poll watcher? (n/t)

[billkurtmeyer]

27. I wore my Red Sox had precisely for that reason, I saw 5-6 others

in Wisconsin!

[soothsayer]

28. I only saw one button, and it was a Kerry/Edwards one...! Cheered me.

[melissinha]

29. Just wear blue... they can't REALLY be against that

BLUE BLUE BLUE.....

[Roland99]

42. That's what I did! Even though Blue is UK colors here in Louisville.

:D

[tuvor]

30. You should go back and apologize. n/t

[amber dog democrat]

31. Once you are past the distance marker - electioneering is prohibited.

He was right - but he ought to have been more circimspect. Obviously he did not know whom he was talking to. I am glad you let him live. :)

I have been an alternate judge and an election clerk in numerous numerous elections.

[Bridget Burke]

35. He was right.

But I'm sure you're a really manly man. Supermacho.

[11 Bravo]

54. As I stated elsewhere

2 lawyers and a member of the VA house of Delegates have informed me that he was NOT right. This poll WATCHER as opposed to a poll WORKER got right in my face and demanded my button. I politely declined and he rudely persisted. But thanks for your comments, and do have a nice day.

[Padraig18]

56. Did they also inform you that *you* were electioneering?

They should have, because you were. Your hands are hardly clean in this matter.

:eyes:

[11 Bravo]

60. The actual poll WORKERS never said a word

to me or any other button wearer, and I saw both Kerry and Bush buttons or stickers. Are you positive that this is the law in every county and state in the nation?

[Padraig18]

61. I'm positive it's the law in VA.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+24.2-604

Check mate!

[savistocate]

63. Hardly clean..? he just said official

response was a button is not electioneering. Does not fit the definition, it may require speech or a visible to all sign to fall within the definition.
The R as a "watcher" harassing could be just as _technically_
electioneering. Especially as inside the poll workers said
nothing.

There is always, or supposed to be, a sign "No electioneering beyond this point".

[Goldmund]

36. He was right

It IS a federal law, and a good one in my judgement -- as long as it's fairly enforced.

[KurtNYC]

53. Quote your federal law please

What federal law please?

Here is Virginia's law: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+24.2-604

[Wols]

37. HE WAS WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, even if he was right I still like your gumption old timer. Rock on!

[BUSHOUT]

38. I wonder if electioneering voids your vote.....

:(

[Libby2]

41. It depends on the state. n/t

[spanone]

43. Been posted here for days. You can't 'politic' within 100 feet.

[George W. Dunce]

44. Had multiple threads about this the past two days

He was right.

[seraph]

45. He's right. (nt)

[Padraig18]

46. You're lucky you weren't thrown out, or arrested!

Electioneering in or within X distance of a polling place is prohibited by law in EVERY state. You should do the decent thing, and go back and apologize for acting like a jackass.

[robbedvoter]

47. My littke girl was able to keep hers: SpongeBob saying: "EEk! Don't

vote for Bush! I had my black hoodie.
Outside, a black guy was peddling a GOP state senator (without mentioning the party).

[Q]

51. Jesus! If only Democrats had been this worried about the law in 2000...

...Al Gore would be president.

- This is a non-issue. Meanwhile...GOPers are disenfranchising thousands of voters with phony 'felon lists' and through other means.

[exsoccermom]

55. When I voted this morning

there was a guy in line ahead of me with a BC teeshirt. No one said anything to him. This is in southern Maryland (district 9 of Charles County--precinct tend republican, but not by much).

[NightOwwl]

57. In California you aren't even aloud to talk about the candidates

within 50 feet of the polling place. I don't mind, it probably stops a lot of fights.

[NightOwwl]

58. Dupe

[Pacifist Patriot]

59. It actually depends upon where you live. In my location...

political buttons and attire are legal within the polling place provided you are a private citizen and not performing campaign functions. I saw plenty of W buttons and a smattering of Kerry ones in line today and nary a word was said. But in some places it's most definitely both frowned upon and illegal.

[Name removed]

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