Posted on 09/18/2004 11:19:29 AM PDT by scottybk
Here is the Supreme Ct. case that gives states/localities the right to place reasonable restrictions on 1st Amendment rights w/in vicinity of polling places. Check you states law to see if you have a statute on the books that disallows campaigning, etc. w/in certain distance (usually between 100-500 feet) of a polling place to discourage intimidation. Bet not many Klowns/Moore-ons know about this- although it is not helpful unless YOUR STATE HAS THIS TYPE OF LAW ON BOOKS. I am a law student w/ Westlaw access- I am checking every state's law and will post new thread w/ each state's rules.
Supreme Court of the United States Charles W. BURSON, Attorney General and Reporter for Tennessee, Petitioner v. Mary Rebecca FREEMAN. No. 90-1056. Argued Oct. 8, 1991. Decided May 26, 1992.
Political party worker brought action seeking to enjoin enforcement of Tennessee statutes prohibiting solicitation of votes and display of campaign materials within 100 feet of entrance to polling place on election day. The Chancery Court, Davidson County, Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr., Chancellor, upheld the statutes. Appeal was taken. The Tennessee Supreme Court reversed, 802 S.W.2d 210, and certiorari was granted. The Supreme Court, Justice Blackmun, held that Tennessee statute prohibiting solicitation of votes and display or distribution of campaign materials within 100 feet of entrance to polling place was narrowly tailored to serve compelling state interest in preventing voter intimidation and election fraud, as required by First Amendment. Reversed and remanded.
Can we make citizens' arrests? I'd like to run citizens' interrogations.
BTTT for carrying a tape measure and a baseball bat to the polls...
What about videotaping repeat voters and dead people?
In Arizona the distance is 75 feet, the 75 foot line is always well marked.
This particular practice may also be known as "electioneering", which may be of assistance in researching the laws and statutes of various states and municipalities.
Good Work. I look forward to seeing that. This is important info. so make sure to post the final state-by-state rules at least a few times before november.
You put yourself at great legal risk if you do that.
Better to just call the police if they won't follow the law.
lol...thanks. Speaking of risk, you haven't felt it until you work precincts in areas near St. Louis...and Chicago. Ain't no law in those parts.
TEXAS
Electioneering and loitering within 100 feet of the entrance of the building in which a polling place is located. [Sec. 61.003]. Examples of electioneering include, but are not limited to, the following:
wearing a badge, insignia, emblem, or other item relating to a candidate or a measure. [Sec. 61.010(a)].
unauthorized posting of signs, posters or other similar items. [Sec. 62.013]
unlawful operation of a vehicle with a loudspeaker used for campaigning purposes within 1,000 feet of a building in which a polling place is located. [Sec. 61.004]
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/pamphlets/pollwatcherpf.htm
Check the Sec. of State for your area.
Ohio is 100 ft per conversation with Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell's office.
I dunno, where I live the campaigners for both sides stand "behind the line", about 100' from the entrance to the poll. Dems on one side, Pubs on the other, so you can avoid either one, or both by walking down the middle of the street. The opposing parties keep an eye on each other to prevent cheating.
Thank you for doing this, scottybk.
*PING* for some important keep-em-honest election info!
*PING* for some keep-em-honest election information.
Would either of you be willing to ping the Oklahoma delegation?
Thanks for the ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.