Polls offer requirements for voters
Cristen Handley
Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: News
Let's say you want to show up at the poll all decked out in buttons and T-shirts that read "Barack Obama" or "John McCain," as your one last public pledge to your favorite candidate. Unfortunately, state law will not allow you to do this within 100 feet from the main entrance of the building where voting is taking place.
"Voters cannot discuss candidates while they are in line to vote," Stormes said. "It's just the law."
Several UA students had different views on these poll rules.
"I think that people are very touchy around election time," said Jennifer Hula, a freshman pre-med major.
"You don't want a fight breaking out while you're supposed to be voting."
Calli Reasnor, a freshman apparel studies major, said she doesn't "see a problem with the law. Of course people are going to vote for the last name they see, and voting should be based on political views above all."
Jon Larson, a sophomore business major, offered a conflicting view disagreeing with the law.
"It's doubtful that wearing a button would affect anything because most people have made their decision before they go to the poll, so it wouldn't be a big deal to talk about or wear stuff supporting a candidate," Larson said.
The consequences of electioneering at the polls include the possibility of being issued a fine or even being unable to vote in the current election.
However, most poll workers simply will ask the person to take off their hat or button or stop talking about the candidates, Stormes said.
"Voters cannot discuss candidates while they are in line to vote," Stormes said. "It's just the law."
Several UA students had different views on these poll rules.
"I think that people are very touchy around election time," said Jennifer Hula, a freshman pre-med major.
"You don't want a fight breaking out while you're supposed to be voting."
Calli Reasnor, a freshman apparel studies major, said she doesn't "see a problem with the law. Of course people are going to vote for the last name they see, and voting should be based on political views above all."
Jon Larson, a sophomore business major, offered a conflicting view disagreeing with the law.
"It's doubtful that wearing a button would affect anything because most people have made their decision before they go to the poll, so it wouldn't be a big deal to talk about or wear stuff supporting a candidate," Larson said.
The consequences of electioneering at the polls include the possibility of being issued a fine or even being unable to vote in the current election.
However, most poll workers simply will ask the person to take off their hat or button or stop talking about the candidates, Stormes said.
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