Is there a time limit to how long you can stand in the voting booth?

[mirror wall]

Let's say I've given my old grandmother, bless her heart, a sheath of papers with information about the candidates on it. She didn't read it before election day and takes it with her to the polling place. Once inside she proceeds to painstakingly read the provided papers. How long does she have before someone kicks her out?

Is it different state to state?

[SmokingJacket]

1. I think in NY you get 3 minutes.

I'm a poll worker, and I *should* know, but we've never had to kick anyone out for taking too much time. If someone needs extra time or help, they should tell a poll worker.

[Newsjock]

2. Ohhhh, that's scary

In San Francisco, the ballot is so long (5 cards full) that officials say voters will be spending 10-15 minutes each:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/06/BA3313CAIT.DTL

But that brings up a scary thought: Could Republicans (or anyone else, for that matter) simply walk into a booth and stand there for 30 minutes, an hour, or longer, in an effort to shut down a polling place?

On edit: Here are some random citations I found:

NYT, 1988: A state law limiting people to 10 minutes in the voting booth was struck down Friday by a Federal district judge, who cited a long and complex ballot.

Face the State (Colorado), 2008: This November, Colorado voters will be limited to just 15 minutes in the voting booth to decide on nearly 20 statewide issues and a multitude of candidates. ... The 15 minute limit is an increase over the previous 10 minute limit.

Wyoming state law:A person may remain in the booth for not more than ten (10) minutes.

[unpossibles]

3. Can they?

I think they did just that in 2004, among other things.

Ironic because it makes me wonder why they hate democracy so much, that they are willing to cheat and consider it winning.

[Hugabear]

7. I would not put that past them

Especially in areas with a heavy minority presence, in an attempt to deny them their right to vote. I can just see a small handful of GOP operatives coordinating their efforts to keep the voting booths occupied as long as possible.

[CrispyQ]

4. I have election judge class tomorrow. I'll ask.

I realize it varies from state to state, but it's a good question!

[crispini]

5. Not in Texas.

We had a super-long ballot 2 years ago and boy did it back things up. We resorted to clipboards for ballots to help get it moving.

[Tracer]

6. Straight from the Massachusetts Voters' Bill of Rights:

"You have the right to remain in the voting booth for five (5) minutes if there are other voters waiting and for ten (10) minutes if there are no other voters waiting."

Don't know how it works in other states.