Do NOT wear Kerry gear (tshirts, hats, etc) when you go to vote.....

[Claire Beth]

it is against voting regulations and poll workers have been instructed to enforce this rule! This rule applies in MOST if not ALL states. The boundaries vary from state to state but please check with your election commission before doing this. It would be sad to wait in line for hours to vote only to be turned away when you get within the allowed boundary. Please help spread this information!!

[elehhhhna]

1. oh hell just get topless when you're in the NO-campaigning-zone

[WoodrowFan]

25. only if you're cute please!

think of the poor poll workers!

[Minnesota_Lib]

37. I think a pair of boobs could qualify as a Bush/Cheney endorsement.

Same reply I posted to a similar post in a similar thread---but a really dumb joke just never gets old to me. :-)

[elehhhhna]

55. LOL! !

[mindfulNJ]

2. Yes...your vote is more important

than a T-shirt or button.

[hinachan]

3. Wear a black hoodie, a la Eminem

A lot of people are talking about doing that, inspired by his "Mosh" video, as it's a way of making a statement without breaking the law. Just think, if a sea of people in black hoodies would descend on the polls...! :)

[nookiemonster]

6. Have hoodie. Will travel. n/t

:kick:

[SSX]

29. got mine 10 min. ago

[Chelsea Patriot]

32. I'm wearing mine!

[MsTryska]

43. Word.

I'll be rockin a black hoodie too.

[lazarus]

66. bought mine yesterday

[realcountrymusic]

67. got mine

and it says MOSH in big white letters (tape) on the back

is that electioneering?

mosh bush

FUCK bush

rcm

[blondeatlast]

83. You are too damn cool, RCM.

Too damn cool...

Let's see a photo of ALL the HonkyTonkers for Truth in their MOSH hoodies!

[klook]

72. hoodie mob

"So come along, follow me as I lead through the darkness
As I provide just enough spark, that we need to proceed
Carry on, give me hope, give me strength,
Come with me, and I won't steer you wrong
Put your faith and your trust as I guide us through the fog
Till the light, at the end, of the tunnel, we gonna fight,
We gonna charge, we gonna stomp, we gonna march through the swamp
We gonna mosh through the marsh, take us right through the doors

And as we proceed, to mosh through this desert storm, in these closing statements, if they should argue, let us beg to differ, as we set aside our differences, and assemble our own army, to disarm this weapon of mass destruction that we call our president, for the present, and mosh for the future of our next generation, to speak and be heard, Mr. President, Mr. Senator"
from "Mosh" by Eminem

[CAcyclist]

75. Got mine

:toast:

[0007]

4. Please help spread this information

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

When you call the hotline, be prepared to give your name, telephone number, and note as many
details as possible, including the names of the people who are involved.

[Bucky]

52. I'm having trouble with the fine print on your post. Could you enlarge it?

Is there some number I can call?

[Bucky]

53. I'm having trouble with the fine print on your post. Could you enlarge it?

Is there some number I can call?

[0007]

94. You have the number Bucky and you can enlarge it if your that

interested.

[Francesca]

5. I had no idea!!

Thank you so much for the info as my husband and I where definitely going to wear Kerry shirts and buttons...

[izzie]

10. Off with the bumper stickers, I hope not.

What is with these people. Who cares what you ware into the building but I have heard you.

[Claire Beth]

14. bumper stickers on cars does not apply....

since they are left in the parking lot and usually it is well outside the boundaries specified by state laws.

[Bridget Burke]

35. Unless you drive INTO the polling place....

This is not recommended. The polls would probably be closed by the time you made bail.

[Claire Beth]

54. LOL n/t

[Skinner]

7. Are you sure about this?

I know that it is illegal in most states to campaign near polls. But I would be extremely surprised if regular citizens were denied the right to vote simply because of what T-shirt they are wearing. Are you sure this is correct?

[Claire Beth]

11. yes. I had my Kerry button on and had to remove it.....

I had my Kerry button on when I went to vote and was told I could not go any further in line until I removed it. Other poll workers from other states are saying the same thing. Check out the replies to the thread I started last night. It seems pretty much like a blanket rule! I think this is a very important issue that needs to be addressed.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1245123&mesg_id=1245123

[annabanana]

13. If you are in "hostile" territory.........rules not usually enforced

WILL be. "No Electioneering within 100 yards (not sure of distance) of Polls". So, no buttons, T's, hats, and if your car is heavily festooned...park a block away.

[George W. Dunce]

17. Didn't someone post an

article last week about polls in Texas not wanting anyone to wear any kind of Dallas Cowboy garb because there is a question on the ballot regarding a new stadium built with tax payer money. The article went on to say that the rule applied to candidate garb as well.

[Cadfael]

19. DuPage County Judge of Election reference manual

page 26
Electioneering

Electioneering is defined as working for, against, or in the interest of a candidate, party, or proposition. Electioneering is not allowed within 100 feet of the polling room. No one is permitted to wear a campaign button, display political literature or engage in any political discussion within the restricted area.

--------

Here is how we deal with it at our precinct. People wearing campaign buttons are asked to remove them until after they have left the polling place. If someone comes in wearing a t-shirt, we would ask them to cover it up by perhaps zipping/closing their jackets (it IS Illinois, and usually chilly here) - Worst case I would ask them to visit the bathroom in the school and temporarily put the t-shirt on inside out. Heck, I even park my car a considerable distance from the school that our precinct votes in, because I have a ton of bumperstickers on the back, and it sits there from 5am to at least 8:30 pm on election day.

[WoodrowFan]

22. yes it is

Skinner, I'm an election officer in Fairfax. it is indeed considered campaigning to wear a shirt or button, etc, into a polling place.

[Zech Marquis]

44. then

I'll just wear my Kerry shirt today, my work clothese tomrrow--go straight to work after voting, I'm sure the lines will be long...

[Swede Atlanta]

36. Campaign Wear is not permitted

I cannot speak on behalf of other states but in Georgia..... No person may campaign, distribute literature of written or printed matter of any kind; wear campaign buttons, signs, pins, stickers, t-shirts, etc.; circulate petitions; or perform similar activities within 150 feet of the building in which a polling place is located, or within 25 feet of any voter standing in line at the polling place. This is based on Official Code of Georgia Annotated sec 21-2-414(a)(1). Any person who violates 21-2-414 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, sec 21-2-414(g).

Even though you are a voter, the appearance of any type of political endorsement, etc. in the form of a t-shirt, button, etc. is considered "campaigning" and is not permitted.

I am aware many other states have similar provisions. I am participatin the Election Protection, a non-partisan monitoring group, and we may have some XXX-large t-shirts for people to put over their offending apparel so they can vote. Take it seriously because if there are partisan poll watchers they may report you and poll workers have been told to enforce this. When I early voted last week several people had buttons, shirts, hats, etc. and were told by poll workers to remove them or hide them from view or they would be removed from the polling place. Given that it took 3.5 hours to vote I'm glad they were all able to cover their campaign wear up.

[KoKo]

70. I have the Voters Rights for NC in my hand and you can wear what you want

have the quote: "First Amendment Right to wear whatever you want including election related paraphernalia."

Not wearing anything politically related only is applicable to inside poll workers.

I think you were being harrassed...but maybe it varies from state to state. But I'm a poll worker and was given this in my guidbook for voters rights. :shrug:

[politicat]

71. It has happened... so better safe than sorry.

EOM

[American liberal]

77. here's a link to the same subject

I found that in Nevada, voters can wear buttons and shirts if they cannot be "reasonably concealed."

Then there's a link to a situation in CA in which an overzealous polling place worker made a voter remove her shirt before he would let her vote.

Here in IL, I don't think it's all that serious. We have rules about electioneering more than 100 feet from polling place, but I wasn't able to find anything that specifically pertains to voters wearing memerobilia (sp).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1245123&mesg_id=1245123&page=

[Medium Baby Jesus]

88. In Florida. Yes!

[left is right]

8. And remember

Voting is done on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, not november 4 or november 9. Unpaid traffic tickets or overdue rent cannot keep you from voting. It doesn't matter if you were registered by the NAACP or some other organization, if registered you get to vote. Take Id and voter registration card (if possible). Do not get discouraged by long lines, lenghty delays, or the possibility of vote challenging. Tell friends, neighbors, total strangers about the above items. And offer to take an elderly, physically impaired voter with you as you go to vote.

[truthpusher]

9. t-shirts can be turned inside out -I however would suggest to take...

...the shirt off and vote topless!!

[L84TEA]

12. wha...what???

I don't own anything that doesn't say Kerry, or democrat on it...LMAO.. I won't know what to do Tuesday!!!! Guess I gotta go naked! People won't recognize me!!

[Claire Beth]

16. turn it inside OUT if nothing else....LOL n/t

[trof]

15. Most (if not all) states have laws

against "campaigning" within so many feet of polling places.
No buttons, badges, T shirts, etc.
Forewarned is forearmed.

[Claire Beth]

20. exactly.....

let's keep this thread kicked. We don't want to chance losing ANY votes because of some technicality like this.

[RememberTheCoup]

18. maybe election volunteers should bring XL plain shirts or jackets...

...to lend to people wearing Kerry gear so that they won't be turned away and won't have to step out of line to turn their shirts inside out.

[sunnybrook]

23. good suggestion

I will be a poll watcher. That would get their goat (repugs that is)...
Oh it's ok have this shirt

[WoodrowFan]

24. I'll have some

just in case.

[SharonAnn]

96. I've already packed a couple of light jackets and XL T-shirts

I'm the election Officer at our precinct and it's possible that people will wear the wrong thing.

At one of our precincts a couple years ago, a worker told a woman she couldn't come in with her campaign T-shirt on so the woman took it off, turned it inside out, and put it back on again.

The workers got a kick out of it and the woman got to vote.

[Clintmax]

21. In Tallahassee Florida...

I voted two weeks ago and there were NUMEROUS people wearing Kerry buttons and such and NONE were turned away. They went in, voted, and departed without having so much as a sideways glance by the poll workers. I was glad to see it, but I wonder if they are being lenient because of the mess we had down here 4 years ago.

[pk_du]

26. Woman just called C-Span from Florida.....

was made to remove "Dumb ( G.H.W Bush) & Dumber ( Chimp) t-shirt while waiting in line at the "Barbara Bush Libary at Cypress Creek in Florida.

[DrFunkenstein]

27. So Much For My "Vote Kerry Or I'll Kick Your Ass" T-Shirt

Damn!

[DemOperative]

79. was that a Skittles original?

:evilgrin:

[tanyev]

28. I did poll watching in Texas.

First day of early voting, turnout was huge, and the election crew was overwhelmed. Somehow, a guy made it all the way up to the voting machine with a Bush/Cheney shirt on. I hadn't even noticed it. The election worker asked him to go into the men's room and turn it inside out. He just ripped it off right there, dropped it on the floor and voted shirtless. When he was done he defiantly slapped an "I Voted" sticker on his bare skin, to the applause of a few voters in line. It was very hard to keep a straight face and not show the revulsion I was feeling.

[Streetdoc270]

31. I would have cheered too....

One less Bush T-Shirt in the world :evilgrin:

[rinsd]

84. That's damn funny.

I don't care who he voted for(though of course I wish it was for Kerry) there goes a voter who wouldn't take no for an answer.

[SSX]

30. can I wear my black hoodie

zipped up and my "reality-based community" tee underneath and take my hoodie off after I vote and am leaving the voting booth?

[Free2BMe]

33. I wear my grandmother's for peace sweatshirt everywhere..subtle.

[brooklynite]

34. Don't jump to conclusions

First of all, every county has different rules regarding this issue, and in most cases, these prohibitions relate to pollwathchers, not ordinary voters. Second of all, the worst that's going to happen is they're going to ask you to remove your button.

[Bridget Burke]

38. What if people are wearing more than a Kerry button?

Joking aside, ripping off your shirt is not always possible.

In Texas, no electioneering is allowed within the "perimeter". That's a state-wide rule--not county wide. And it applies to the voters.

Please don't encourage behavior that might cause voters problems.

[Claire Beth]

49. you can remove a button BUT....

I don't think too many women or men (for that matter) would want to remove their shirts! And if you will take time to read most of the responses to my post you will see that it is pretty much a blanket rule in every county and state.

[Claire Beth]

50. you can remove a button BUT....

I don't think too many women or men (for that matter) would want to remove their shirts! And if you will take time to read most of the responses to my post you will see that it is pretty much a blanket rule in every county and state.

[liberal N proud]

39. I hear this every presidential election.

The training we had the other night about the poll workers, they said that:
Anyone working the polls with in the flags set up outside the polls (in other words the polling boundry) can NOT wear campaign signs, buttons or shirts.
BUT! They CAN NOT stop voters from wearing their buttons or shirts while voting.
This is true in Ohio and when I lived in Missouri it was also true. I had a repube at work told em in 92 and again in 96 that is was illeagal, both times he was wrong.
I also checked with my mother who worked in polls for 35 years.

[kittenpants]

59. not to be disagreeable, but

I also just had training for working at the polls in OH (Columbus) and I was told that we couldn't let people vote if they were wearing anything partisan. And if the polls were in schools, poll workers are supposed to tear down any children's signs in favor of a levy, etc!
Crazy, but if the repug challengers/witnesses end up being allowed in, I'll do whatever I can to keep them from trying to invalidate a Kerry win on some formality.

EDIT-I could be in a different county where regulations are different too!

[Divernan]

40. Please provide cite to this "regulation"

NT

[Bridget Burke]

41. From the Federal Election Commission....

Removed from their website but still in Google cache...

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

Electioneering is kept at a distance in just about every state. Distances vary, definition of "electioneering" may vary.

Please supply any alternate information available.

[John_H]

45. I love posts like this.

No matter how obvious the statement, sombody always plays gottalink. Every state has similar laws on this subject--wear a kerry Tshirt and you have to cover it or go home and and change. Since, you're so skeptical, put on your t-shirt, stand in line, and see what happens.
Then post your experience--and don't forget to provide a cite to prove you got turned away.

[Catfight]

42. I'm going to tell all the Bush supporters to make sure they wear their

Bush gear and big W's going to the polls to show their support!

[Claire Beth]

58. LOL - - works for me! LOL n/t

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[klook]

73. Sorry, I DU'd it instead! (n/t)

[Jack Rabbit]

47. Thank you. Poll workers should enforce this rule.

The rule is no electioneering withing a certain distance (usually 100 feet) of the polling place. It applies to any voter, any candidate and any issue.

It is a good rule and I won't feel sorry for anybody turned away for violating it.

So please don't muddle the effort to keep this election free and fair by doing something stupid like that. We don't want to give Rove and his band of professional liars any anecdotal evidence that Kerry voters were turned away for violating such rules when they have plans to turn them away and intimidate them simply because they are Kerry voters.

[SotarrTheWizard]

48. I'm wearing my "Brain for President" button into the polls. . .

. . .and as anyone with an IQ higher than room temperature knows who the Brain is. . . .and who Pinky is. . . in this election. . .

It's too bad nobody made a "Bush/Cheney '04. . . .NARF!" logo . . . }(

[shay_shay]

51. In Alabama it is OK...

I checked the secretary of state's website last night and in the FAQ section it specifically said that buttons, t-shirts, etc. were allowed. Just a heads up - might want to check your state's sec of state website to see if there is info posted regarding this.

[umtalal]

56. In California you can't even talk about it from a 100 feet.

I live across the polling station, I am going to be in trouble. just kidding.

[lazarus]

68. unless you're Ahnuld

Who was actively campaigning in a polling place during the recall election. Of course, who would dare interfere with the Governator?

[umtalal]

92. Yes, the screwball did that. Oh, how much I dislike that man.

[RobinA]

69. This is Weird

because here in PA I walk past a gauntlet of gladhanders and leafleteers, not to mention a thicket of yard signs, to get to my polling place. Right outside the door. If they are 25 feet from actual voting booths I'd be very surprised. And all Repubs, because this is a Repub area that Dems waste no time at all on.

I wonder if I could wear my Gore/Lieberman t-shirt?

[liberal N proud]

57. I did Early Voting and had two Kerry button on and no one said

anything about them.

[Harlan James]

60. I'm wearing all blue.

Dark blue shirt, faded blue jeans.

[Ann Arbor Dem]

61. FYI for Michigan voters......

Voters are not allowed to wear campaign buttons, tshirts, etc. at the polling sites.

[mrsadm]

62. Wow thanks for telling us this

I was worried that if I wore my Kerry button I'd get beat up or hear some verbal abuse. I didn't know it would prevent me from voting!

[Spinzonner]

63. In California bumper stickers are also forbidden

I'm not sure what I'm going to do if someone shows up with a verboten tattoo.

[DemOperative]

80. Unless you mean wearing a bumpersticker, that's incorrect

Your bumper stickered cars aren't allowed within 100 ft of the polling place, but seriously; this might keep someone from voting.

[ISUGRADIA]

64. Varies by state...in Minnesota at the election judge

school we were told to ask ppl to take off buttons, turn t-shirts inside out if needed. In Iowa when I worked, these items were OK at the time.

When in doubt, don't.

[kick-ass-bob]

65. kick

:kick:

[Julius Civitatus]

74. I just added a quick list...

I just added to my blog a quick list of things to keep in mind this election day:

http://juliusblog.blogspot.com

Feel free to pass them along. We need to do everything in our power to counter voter supression.

This is the content of my blog entry:

As the dirty tricks and Republican shenanigans to disenfranchise voters increase, here are a few recommendations to keep in mind tomorrow when you head for the voting booth:

• Have this phone number handy to report problems: 1-866-MYVOTE1
  
  
• Use this phone number for immediate legal assistance
  1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). Call that number if poll workers refuse you to vote for any reason
  
  
• Do NOT wear Kerry gear (tshirts, hats, etc) when you go to vote. it is against voting regulations and poll workers have been instructed to enforce this rule! This rule applies in MOST if not ALL states. Electioneering is not allowed within 100 feet of the polling room.
  
  
• Refuse the offer of anyone coming to your residence to "pick up your vote for you." It has been reported that shady operatives have been scamming elderly citizens using this trick. This is actually voting supression. Report it to your local authorities and to the phone numbers listed above.
  
  
• If you receive a phone call between today and tomorrow telling you that you are "not properly registered to vote," call 1-866-687-8683 and your local authorities to report it. It's another dirty trick by Republican operatives to keep people away from the polls.
  
  
• Election day is <strong>November 2, 2004. Not any other day of this week. Do not believe anyone telling you otherwise.
  
  
• If you experience any problems with your voting machine, make sure you report it to any of the election officials in the room, and call for help whenever you feel you may need it.

Good luck!!!

[Warren DeMontague]

76. If I wear a shirt that says "IDIOTS SUCK", isn't that an implicit

Kerry endorsement?

[bobbieinok]

78. why chance losing your place in line???better to be safe than sorry

[Goldmund]

81. I'm glad this rule exists.

As long as it's enforced equally on all sides.

[Days Between]

82. It seems silly to me anyway...

How many people will change their vote because of a shirt or button or whatever flyer that someone is handing out on Election Day?

[MrSlayer]

85. Bullshit. A voter can wear whatever they want.

At least it's that way in PA.

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/10070034.htm


<snip>
Can I wear my Dump Bush button? Or my ‘Down with Liberal Weenies’ T-shirt?

Yes. Voters can wear whatever they want but partisan poll watchers cannot make visible displays of the team they’re backing.

It is illegal to post campaign signs within 10 feet of the room where voting takes place. Campaign workers pushing candidates, sample ballots or tiny John Kerry voodoo dolls must do so at least 10 feet away.

<snip>

[Ann Arbor Dem]

86. It varies by state...

So it's not necessarily bullshit in many states. Everyone should check his/her state's voter laws...it can usually be found in the Secretary of State section of the state website. If campaign materials are not allowable, tell everyone they know so it won't be an issue when they get to the polls.

[ExclamationPoint]

87. MA

I noticed that no one one mentioned Massachusetts. i find that strange-isn't it supposed to be one of the most democratic states?

[Claire Beth]

93. This is NOT bullshit.....

and all I am trying to do is pre-warn anyone who has not already voted that it is a law in some if not MOST places. I don't want anyone waiting for hours in line to vote and then lose their place in line because of a technicality that can be avoided. Apparently you have not read some of the posts where people were turned away for having on campaign gear. One lady in another forum had waited for over an hour and because her infant had on a Kerry/Edwards tshirt was turned away. She got disgusted and left so who knows if she ever went back to vote! So before you cry BULLSHIT perhaps you should do more research.

[Clinton Crusader]

89. I wore Gore and donkey pins in 2000 - no one said a word

Then again, where I vote, Im usually the only one voting. No one is ever in this place! ONE TIME I had to wait for ONE person who was using the booth (there's only 2). They wont say anything.

[DrRock]

90. ^

Why hasn't everyone here voted already?

[nofanofbush]

91. Point taken...

[robbedvoter]

95. Black hoodie. They made me tale off my Draft Clark button last September

even though the election was just for some judges - and Clark was not even a candidate yet. So, it's plain black hoodie now.