Are campaign buttons allowed at the polling place?
The statute provides an exception for campaign buttons that do not exceed 3 inches and are worn by people at the polling place solely for the purpose of voting. "...any material that directly or indirectly makes reference to an election, a candidate, or a ballot question."
Is it safe to vote at a polling place?
Many states allow mail-in voting (citizens of Washington, Oregon, and Colorado vote exclusively by mail), early voting, and/or absentee ballots. However, most Americans still cast their ballot in person at their local polling place. Modern polling sites are much safer than they used to be, but they can still be places of contention and uncertainty.
What are the restrictions on political advertising at polling places?
These restrictions usually include limiting the display of signs, handing out campaign literature or soliciting votes within a pre-determined distance (typically 50 to 200 feet) of a polling place.
What are the laws regarding electioneering at a polling place?
An entity that owns or controls a public building being used as a polling place may not prohibit electioneering outside of the 100-foot distance marker. However, the entity may enact reasonable regulations in regards to the time, place, and manner of electioneering. Tex. Elec. Code § 61.003 (a-1).
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Federal Campaign Finance Laws
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How far away from polling place can you vote?
These restrictions usually include limiting the display of signs, handing out campaign literature or soliciting votes within a pre-determined distance (typically 50 to 200 feet) of a polling place.
How far from the polling place is the polling place?
75 ft. of the outside entrance to a polling place, or in any corridor passageway or approach leading to a polling place
How far is a polling place from the outside door?
100 ft. of an outside door through which a voter may enter a building in which a polling place is located
How many states have statutory restrictions on polling place apparel?
The table below provides additional information for the 21 states that have statutory restrictions on apparel in the polling place. If you know something that we don't have included, please let us know.
How far is the chute from the polls?
within the polls or the chute (this is an area or pathway 50 ft. in length, measured from the entrance to the polls; if the property line is less than 50 ft. from the entrance, the chute extends half way from the entrance to the property line)
How far is the voter service center from the perimeter?
200 ft. from the perimeter of any voter service center or any place of deposit; includes the building, its parking lot, and routes of access between them
How wide are no election corridors?
there are "no-electioneering corridors" that are at least 10 ft. wide and extend from all entrances to the polling place and extend "a reasonable distance along sidewalks or to the parking lots that serve the polling place"
What is the Federal Election Campaign Act?
The Federal Election Campaign Act requires candidates to report: Where the money they raise comes from, and the amounts. Where the money they spend goes, and the amounts. The law applies to candidates for president as well as for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.
What act allowed people to vote by mail?
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 required polling places to be accessible to people with disabilities. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986 allowed members of the U.S. armed forces and overseas U.S. voters to register and vote by mail.
What amendments made it harder for African Americans to vote?
Some states used literacy tests and other barriers to make it harder to vote. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave American women the right to vote. The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, eliminated poll taxes. The tax had been used in some states to keep African Americans from voting in federal elections.
What laws prohibited discrimination based on race, color, or membership in a language minority group?
1960. 1964. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited voter discrimination based on race, color, or membership in a language minority group. It also required certain places to provide election materials in languages besides English. The act also placed limits on certain states with a history of voter discrimination.
How to report voter suppression?
The Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. If you witness or suspect voter intimidation or suppression, there are three ways you can report it: Contact your state or territorial election office.
What is the name of the federal law that created the new way to register to vote?
The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 created new ways to register to vote. It also called for states to keep more accurate voter registration lists. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 authorized federal funds for elections. It also created the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
What are the three federal election crimes?
Federal election crimes fall into three broad categories: Campaign finance crimes, such as when candidates accept funds that violate the amounts or donors permitted under the law . Civil rights violations, involving voter intimidation, coercion, threats, and other tactics to suppress a person’s ability to vote.
Who argued that states can limit speech at polling places?
Rogan argued that just as the Supreme Court itself bans demonstrators, banners, and signs on the plaza in front of the court, relegating such speech to the public sidewalk, states can limit speech at polling places. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg questioned how far this principle should go.
Who spoke of the need for decorum at polling places?
The Supreme Court wasn't so sure. Chief Justice John Roberts, for example, like Kennedy, spoke of the necessity for decorum at polling places and warned of a concern about coordination, where a group of people decide to wear the same buttons or shirts, the result being "subtle psychological pressure" on other voters.
What were the election days like in the early 1900s?
Until the early 1900s, election days looked nothing like they do now. There were no quiet lines of people waiting to vote in curtained-off booths. Instead, election days were raucous, confusing, even violent affairs.
Is the Supreme Court polling place a political free zone?
Justices Incredulous At Both Sides. Currently, polling places are largely a politics-free zone, but the Supreme Court heard arguments that could change that. Currently, polling places are largely a politics-free zone, but the Supreme Court heard arguments that could change that.
Can you wear a political badge on election day?
A person may not provide political badges, political buttons, or other political insignia to be worn at or about the polling place on the day of a primary or election. A political badge, political button, or other political insignia may not be worn at or about the polling place on primary or election day.".
Can you ban protesters at polling places?
Rogan argued that just as the Supreme Court itself ban s demonstrators , banners, and signs on the plaza in front of the court, relegating such speech to the public sidewalk, states can limit speech at polling places.
What is the purpose of a county chair in the polling place?
1996, which provides that a county chair “may be in a polling place during the voting period as necessary to perform administrative functions related to the conduct of the election.” The Legislature did not define “administrative function,” but some examples may include repairing a voting system or providing supplies, such as ballots. If you have any questions, please contact our office.
Who has the authority to require early voting devices?
The early voting clerk and the presiding judge have the authority to require persons to deactivate any such devices and further authority to require persons who do not comply to leave the early voting or election day polling place, as appropriate.
What does a poll watcher sign?
The poll watcher must sign an oath stating he or she does not have in his or her possession devices capable of recording images or sound, or that he or she will disable or deactivate the devices while serving as a watcher. Tex. Elec. Code §§ 33.006, et. seq.
When is the early voting period for the 2014 primary?
The early voting period for the March 4, 2014 primary election will begin next Tuesday, February 18. As you prepare for the election, we wish to advise you of state law on several early voting and election day polling place issues.
Can you collect petition signatures outside the early voting area?
Petition signatures for any type of election may not be collected inside the early voting or election day polling place or within the 100-foot distance marker. Petition gathering is considered electioneering for or against a measure, which is prohibited within the 100-foot distance marker. Tex. Elec. Code §§ 61.003, 85.036.
Is it illegal to use a sound amplification device in the early voting area?
Sound Amplification Devices. It is also prohibited to use a sound amplification device to electioneer within 1,000 feet of the early voting or election day polling place; per Section 61.004 of the Code, a violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor.
Can a judge enforce electioneering?
While an election judge or early voting clerk has the authority to ensure that electioneering is not occurring within the 100 foot marker, Section 32.075 (e) of the Code specifically states that a presiding judge may not enforce electioneering provisions outside of the 100-foot distance markers. The same prohibition applies to an early voting clerk, per Section 81.002 of the Code.
