They're Trying to Tell Voters What To Wear In Wisconsin

[Dinger]

I've heard about this already, but I read this on a local television channel's website.
http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/30806389.html

"Stevens Point City Clerk John Moe is asking voters to dress appropriately on election day.

He frowns upon voters sporting political buttons, t-shirts, or any other garb, saying they could potentially sway a vote or two.

"If you do have a button we ask you to think of the other people at the polling place and take it off," he said.

But Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board says voters can wear whatever they want according to First Amendment rights."



The comment I sent in was this:

"I've heard this nonsense before. People can wear whatever they want, period. Therefore, this story was a waste of time. It's really to bad that mr. moe "frowns on" people exercising their CONSTITUITIONAL rights. He's obviously a scared republican."

[ShortnFiery]

1. If you're working the democratic tables - the required distance away from the polls = have an XXL

BLACK T-SHIRTs for voters to slip on over their clothes. That can cover up any Obama T-shirts, etc. :thumbsup:

[bunnies]

Nothing indicating candidate support is allowed in NH either.

No buttons, t-shirts, stickers visible. Thems the breaks.

and on edit: it is very strictly enforced. During the primaries, people had to cover shirts, remove buttons etc. And that was just what I personally saw while I was waiting in line.

They wont let you in to vote if you dont or cant comply.

[tanyev]

2. They were enforcing that in my county in 2004.

I saw a Bush voter pull off his t-shirt and vote shirtless. It wasn't pretty. x(

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. The man or the vote?

[tanyev]

4. Both! But the man was worse.

He was acting obnoxious even before the shirt came off.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Anything like this?

[tanyev]

13. Ack! No, not quite that bad.

Now I won't need that second cup of coffee.

[Dinger]

5. Well, In Wisconsin, We Can Wear Whatever We Want. That's exactly What I'll Do

This moe asshole thinks by forcing his views on others, it magically becomes "law." Too fucking bad if he doesn't like it.

[Swede Atlanta]

6. No constitutional right to wear clothing that promotes a candidate

Remember that the exercise of free speech and this nation has a long history of treating political speech (and religious speech) as one of the highest forms of protected speech is not boundless. For example you can't yell "Fire" in a crowded theater or engage in speech that is likely to incite public unrest, etc.

As to political speech such as t-shirts, hats, buttons, pins, etc., there may be state law restrictions. You should check with your county or state board of elections for the guidelines.

I live in Georgia and here, not only poll workers but voters are not allowed to wear buttons, sport decals, t-shirts, hats, etc. that show support for a candidate or a ballot measure with a certain distance from the doors of the polling place. I worked Election Protection in 2004 and had to tell several voters sporting gear promoting candidates for local, state or federal office from both parties to cover up or remove buttons, etc. and to cover or turn inside out clothing that violated the law. One very cocky couple sporting their Bush/Cheney t-shirts got very upset and challenged me. I pulled the polling place supervisor over who confirmed the restriction. She advised them if they appeared at the door with their shirts showing she would have to deny them entrance to the polling place. They reluctantly did so but mumbled about their free speech rights being infringed, etc.

It may vary from state to state but at least in Georgia, there are restrictions to what you can wear to a polling place on election day.

[Dinger]

14. Well, Again I Say, The Article Is Clear: We Can Wear Whatever We Want On Election Day

And I don't take kindly to anyone who tells me otherwise. I know betetr. Glad I live in Wisconsin, where Obama will kick ass on November 4th!

[RayOfHope]

8. In Missouri, there is no electioneering within a certain # of feet of the polling place

and that includes buttons, tshirts, hats, whatever.

[mscuedawg]

9. Connecticut, 1994...I was asked to remove my Clinton buttons, etc....

I'm sure its state to state...I'll find out when I show up in with my Obama/Biden buttons in Ohio on Nov 4th and get back to ya'.... ;)

[Dollface]

10. Maybe they're trying to avoid fist fights.

[kevinds13]

11. "Constitutional rights"???

There are laws that say there is no campaigning within 200 feet of a polling place, hence no Obama OR McCain garb. Don't get worked up and nonsensical about this...its been like that for awhile now.

[RichGirl]

12. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THE LAW TO WEAR CAMPAIGN GEAR INTO TO VOTING PLACE.

This is not some new racist thing! We want to get Obama elected so as an Obama supporter you are representing him. Don't be an as$$hole.

It is VERY, VERY important that things move along smoothly on election day because of the high turnout expected. If you do anything at all to create a problem that will slow things down...YOU ARE HURTING OBAMA.

I'm not being harsh toward the OP or anyone. This is the way it is...PERIOD.

[Dinger]

15. I'm Not Being An Asshole; We Can Wear Campaign Gear In Wisconsin, As Long

as we don't actively campaign at the polling place. I wore a Kerry/Edwards t-shirt when I voted in 2004, and it was not a problem.
Kerry/Edwards won Wisconsin in 2004, so it didn't hurt them.

[rvablue]

16. Here in VA there is a flap going on about whether people will be ALLLOWED to wear pol. shirts

I didn't catch it on the late local news here, but I saw a promo earlier in the evening where someone is trying to stir up controversy as to whether it is legal or not to go into a polling place with a political t-shirt on.

Your post jogged my fuzzy memory of it, I'll have to look more into it now.

[WinkyDink]

17. We CANNOT wear political anything to vote in my precinct in Bethlehem, PA.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

18. Same here in MN, and it is nothing new

When I voted in my first presidential election in 1976, I was asked to pocket my Carter button before entering the polling area. No biggie. I put it back on as soon as I left the building.