Laws exist to prevent advertising for candidates at a polling place.
When voters go to the polls for elections there are rules that vary by state that regulate the act of electioneering. Electioneering is the act of advertising or promoting a specific political faction or candidate. Generally state election commission rules prohibit several acts that qualify as electioneering within a certain distance from the polling place. The distance away from the polling place that these acts are allowed varies by state and may range from 25 feet up to 100 feet from polling place property.
Circulating Materials
Laws prohibit the circulation of printed materials such as flyers, brochures, pins, stickers, cards, photos or any other candidate and party-specific items within the defined distance to the polling place entrance. This type of distribution is not allowed because it is feared that such actions may be an attempt to persuade voters from casting a vote or to pressure voters at the last moment to vote for or against a specific candidate.
Dress Code
Elections are conducted with the intent of the voter’s choice being completely confidential. This is why voting booths often have curtains in place to prevent others from seeing how they voted. The polling place dress code prevents voters from entering while wearing clothing or accessories that promote a particular party or candidate to maintain the secrecy of the voter’s intent.
Any tee shirts or other garments with a political message or candidate name on them may not be worn into the polling place. The voters or staff at the polling place must also refrain from wearing any pins or other accessories, which would give away their voting intent. The polling places intend to maintain the secrecy of the votes and avoid confrontations between opposing political views during heated elections.
No Displays
The polling place officials may not place any displays on the property that advertise a candidate or party affiliation. Likewise, those visiting the polling place in order to vote may not post any displays within the state’s distance regulations that advertise any candidate or party.
Verbal
Even if a voter or official is not distributing campaign materials and is not dressed inappropriately for polling place rules, they are still in violation of the law if they are conducting a speech at the polling place in an attempt to gain support for a candidate or party or conducting a speech that is meant to convince voters not to vote for a particular candidate or party.
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