So if what I'm reading is right... we can ALL go to Massachusetts and visit polling places.

[cherokeeprogressive]

I've always wanted to see the changing of the colors in the northeast. I say on Election Day we ALL go to Mass. We walk in and say "Hi!" to the voters and Poll Workers just like we own the place.

Apparently, to visit a polling place in Massachusetts; all you have to do is have a want to say "Hi!" to the Poll Workers.

There's a line in a post right now that says "MA law has ALWAYS favored pols in this regard--and the smart ones, as I've said, know exactly where "the line" is:"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511415277

If Massachusetts favors "pols" that visit their polling places, they HAVE to favor US as well. See, there's this thing called the Fourteenth Amendment that says what's good for one is good for all. They call it the "Equal Protection Clause". I'd call the Fourteenth Amendment "THE LINE", wouldn't you?

Whaddya say? Wanna go to Massachusetts for the General Election? I'm game. I want some of that awesome seafood I've heard they have in Boston, and I have this wish to tell Massachusetts Poll Workers "HI!".

What's good for Bubba is good for ME. Or so says the Fourteenth Amendment.

I can afford it... who's with me?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. I got an election to cover locally and I cannot go inside

uggh

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. So let's go to Massachusetts and test the Fourteenth Amendment! nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I got a local election

but for returns, I am investing in butt loads of TUMMS... it will be one of those nights, (And I fear not in a good way)

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. I'm sure you, like me, laugh at the "vetting" threads the Hillary fans keep putting up.

Oh. My. God. Hillary Clinton's name will be in ads a hundred thousand times a day with everything from getting kicked off the Watergate investigation to "We came, We saw, He died".

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Yup

I also keep laughing at the low turnout in the primary, indicates huge turnout in hte GE, especially since that has not happened since 2000, for both parties. Locally a few people are starting to talk of head on fire.

[monicaangela]

3. I wouldn't try it if I were you cherokeeprogressive

Unless you like going to jail and paying fines for trumped up charges.

[elmac]

49. I wouldn't do it

unless I had some deep pocket wall street bankster friends or 100 mil in the bank like slick Willie.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. Go for it. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. The Fourteenth Amendment says if Bubba can visit a polling place in Mass with Mass' blessing...

So can I.

[madfloridian]

7. Take your bullhorn but no flyers.

[SusanCalvin]

15. But, but...

I'm not a walking piece of Hillary swag. Surely I can have a few fliers, just to level the playing field....!

[madfloridian]

19. .....

[artislife]

31. We can all wear Bernie masks! nt

[SusanCalvin]

53. .

[JaneyVee]

8. I guess so. Sure sounds like it.

[Raster]

9. Make sure to bring your Bullhorn!

You know, just in case...

[TheBlackAdder]

11. No. Some moron at a TV network apparently confused... OR ANY FORM OF PROMOTION OR OPPOSITION

.

Activities in the Polling Location
On Election Day, certain activities are prohibited within the polling location and within 150 feet of the polling place. General Law chapter 54, section 65 prohibits within 150 feet of a polling location, among other things, the posting, exhibition, circulation, or distribution of material--including pasters, stickers, posters, cards, handbills, placards, pictures or circulars--intended to influence the action of the voter. G. L. 54, § 65 (2002 ed.). Consistent with the activities restricted by statute, the implementing regulations prohibit the solicitation of votes for or against, or any other form of promotion or opposition of, any person or political party or position on a ballot question, to be voted on at the current election. 950 C.M.R. § 54.04(22)(d). Accordingly, a person standing within 150 feet of a polling location, including observers in the polling location, may not: hold any campaign sign; hand any person literature intended to influence the voter’s action at the polls; wear any campaign buttons or identifying signage; solicit a person’s vote for or against a candidate or question on the ballot; or, distribute stickers. Circulators of nomination papers, initiative and referenda petitions are also restricted from soliciting signatures within 150 feet of a building entrance door to a polling place. G. L. c. 54, § 65 (2002 ed.). This is true even where the nomination papers, initiative petition or referendum have nothing to do with the current election.

General Law chapter 54, section 65, does not limit the voter themselves from bringing material into the voting booth. They can bring preprinted brochures or pamphlets, or their own notes. The voter may also bring with them a sticker, handed to them on their way into the polls by one of the write-in candidates, to affix to the ballot. However, there are criminal penalties for exhibiting such materials. Accordingly, voters should not display campaign literature while in the polling location. Additionally, it is incumbent on the election officers to check the voting booths regularly to see that no one has left any materials behind. 950 C.M.R. § 54.04(22)(b).

Political Signs
Signs intended to influence the action of voters are subject to both statutory and
regulatory directives. It is well settled that no person may hold a sign that attempts to
influence the voter, or leave such a sign unattended, within 150 feet of a polling location. G. L. c. 54, § 65 (2002 ed.). However, other issues often arise on Election Day relative to the holding and posting of unattended signs. There are no state statutes addressing unattended signs on public property. However, if the sign is on state land, for example on a rotary or highway, the state police will remove it where they believe it to be a traffic or safety hazard. On the municipal level, it is quite common for a by-law to exist, either regulating or forbidding the posting of signs on public property.

Frequently municipalities also have by-laws regulating the posting of signs on private property. By-laws regulating the posting of political signs have included regulation of: the size of the sign, the number of signs on a piece of property, and the time period during which the sign may be exhibited. If the municipality has such a by-law, it is the law in that municipality, and must be complied with. Please check with city or town hall for copies of such rules.

It's that ANY OTHER FORM clause that apparently confuses people! Some people, some really STUPID people!

Later in the document it says that the canditate might bring in stuff when voting. But WJC is not voting there.

WJC is nothing more than a Vested Interest Surrogate, and is not entitled to promote a candidate.



http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/eledaylglsum.doc


It's an MSWord document.



.

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. Could I have worn a t-shirt with Bernie Sanders' picture into the polling places Bubba visited?

[TheBlackAdder]

20. It looks like the following applies: "may not:... wear any campaign buttons or identifying signage"

[haikugal]

12. Can I bring a bullhorn?

[yourout]

16. If any of us normal folks did what slick Willy did we..

Would have been hauled away on hand cuffs.
There is a very different set of rules for the rich and powerful.

[SusanCalvin]

17. Yep. nt

[tymorial]

18. apparently you can even tell people who to vote for...

Inside the polling place. Dont bring fliers or signs though because that is so very wrong.

[alcibiades_mystery]

21. Do you think Sanders would have won were it not for Bill?

[cherokeeprogressive]

22. Do you think he wouldn't have?

[alcibiades_mystery]

23. He lost Massachusetts by 20,000 votes

Bill Clinton's dipshit antics in heavily Clinton areas didn't change that.

Do you know the vote totals in Newton and New Bedford?

I do.

I looked them up before popping shit.



(PS: Bernie outspent Clinton 2-1 in Massachusetts, and 3:1 in New Hampshire, most of which came through the Boston television markets, so he essentially was 5:1 in advertising and still lost. I can see why people donating would want to find a scapegoat for that loss. Bill Clinton's hour or two in front of one or two polling stations that Hillary Clinton won 2:1 might serve that bitter purpose, but don't expect to be taken seriously).

[cherokeeprogressive]

24. Were his polling place visits broadcast live in Mass?

[alcibiades_mystery]

25. Hahaha

That's the argument: his live teevee appearances influenced the election?

No wonder you're losing.

[cherokeeprogressive]

26. No answer?

[alcibiades_mystery]

27. You tell me, homie

Was it on teevee?

And if it was, so what?

Were people in heavy Bernie areas dissuaded from going to a poll because Bill Clinton was on teevee in Newton? Surely, your argument is not that silly?

Or is it that 1,000, nay, 2,000, nay 5,000 would have shown up in Newton - all for Bernie - were it not for Bill. Please tell me the scenario under which Bill cost Bernie 20,000 votes by showing up at these polling stations in areas Hillary won by large margins.

Have at least the courage to make your case.

[cherokeeprogressive]

30. You're right. I'm a coward.

[alcibiades_mystery]

33. I wouldn't go that far, but feel free to make your case if you have one

I don't think you do.

So...

[cherokeeprogressive]

51. So, coward.

[alcibiades_mystery]

54. So, no case

[Zynx]

57. I'd be surprised if Clinton changed a single vote in his last minute visit.

Sanders lost. Fair and square. Deal with it.

[artislife]

34. Do you rationalize everything like this?

If I didn't steal this tv, would the store have not gone out of business anyway?

If I hadn't cheated on my spouse, would we have stayed together anyway?

Rationalization by camp weathervane is just as crazy as it is by RW.

[alcibiades_mystery]

36. I can hold two thoughts in my head at once

Thought 1: Bill Clinton is a shithead who should have been nowhere near a polling place.

Thought 2: Hillary Clinton won the Democratic Primary election in Massachusetts fair and square regardless of her husband's dumbshit activities near polling places.

Can you entertain those two thoughts at once, or nah?

Rationalizing has a lot of variants.

[artislife]

38. I am nearly fainting

You are the first poster I read here who is a h supporter who has said anything against his actions in MA.

And yes, I can hold two thoughts and more in my head.

I am not even going to be mad at that snark, because finally there is someone who says he was wrong.

I am not even looking for you to agree to the degree I do, I am just happy that the fog is thinning.

So, thank you.

[alcibiades_mystery]

40. I said he was wrong since the issue first popped up

Look it up.

I don't truck in bullshit.

One brand of bullshit is that Clinton did nothing wrong. The other brand of bullshit is that Bernie got robbed of Massachusetts.

Bill Clinton didn't break the law, but he acted a fool, and needs the damn leash. Bernie outspent Hillary 5:1 in Massachusetts if you count his NH spending through Boston media markets, and dude still lost.

[artislife]

46. He did lose..but not by much

which makes me happy. But he is my candidate.

I now have a clearer idea of who you are and I appreciate that you don't truck in bullshit. I hadn't recognized your name really before or formed an opinion about you. Even though I posted twice to yours here, I didn't note it was the same person.

I don't want to obsess about posters on this board, so I don't google their posts, or bookmark or do other things like that. If I find someone tiresome (they have to post a lot and have many OPs usually) I put them on ignore. I don't want to have personal vendettas. I try to remember this is really an anonymous opinion board and we really do not know each other or really influence each others lives.

Unfortunately, I work on my computer so I get to get into 10 minute squalls then get back to work, then re-enter. Like stretching every 45 minutes for my focus to be on something else.

More than you needed...okay. You just feel like a real person.

[alcibiades_mystery]

47. Cheers

Lots of silly fights here.

I want Hillary Clinton to win this primary. Point blank.

I'll happily vote for Bernie Sanders if not. Happily. I've had my ass in the tear gas. Lefty activism is how I came up. Bernie ain't right, tho.

Respect, though. Push for yours.

[Kittycat]

59. Who lost in Mass.

Any voter needing acces to handicap parking, and unable to access it. Voters having to wait too long, or leave because of the circus, and constituents that expect leaders to not just uphold the law - but represent it.


There are three thoughts on the board. Two you have shared, the third is listed above. The third has been my issue all along.

Could cheering and nostalgia at the scenes gained his wife votes? Could more of her voters rushed to polls to see him. Sure, but he risked losing voters as easily as Bernie through the antics I mentioned above. That should never happen, and he should have to answer for it. Otherwise, why do we have laws to prevent it at all?


Eta: I don't want to diminish that I also noted your comment on his behavior. Thank you.

[cheapdate]

28. So go to the polling places. There's no law against it.

Say hello to people. But no signs, buttons, or literature. Don't promote a candidate. That's prohibited. You can even go if your spouse is a candidate. Just follow the same rules as everyone else.

[merrily]

29. But, that would not be the same.

For one thing, a former President appearing and shaking hands when his wife is on the ballot does not require him to say a single word. You are, I assume, not immediately recognizable wherever you go and don't have anyone immediately associated with you on the ballot.

Also, you do not attract crowds, or travel with a Secret Service and media entourage, such as your stopping at the entrance to a polling place blocks it.

So, it's not the same. I think he stopped at three or four polling places, a place or two in Boston, one in Newton and one in New Bedford.



https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/03/02/bill-clinton-new-bedford-rally-raises-more-concerns-about-primary-day-violations/pCnoU1awcLGA2E0eERrvoM/story.html

Of course, the people on the way IN to vote could hear him thanking people who had already voted for his wife and the rest of it.

I think this is Newton, where he is inches away from people on line to vote.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/3/2/1494728/-Bill-Clinton-Law-Breaking-at-Polling-Station-Beyond-Doubt-Video-Shows-Loudspeaker-Campaigning

[alcibiades_mystery]

32. Newton and New Bedford Results

Newton
Hillary Clinton: 14,640 (63%)
Bernie Sanders: 8,489 (36.5%)

New Bedford
Hillary Clinton: 6,680 (54.1%)
Bernie Sanders: 5,462 (44.3%)

[artislife]

35. It doesn't matter

If this had been a Obama showing up for Biden against Hillary, it wouldn't be so cool then. I am guessing.

You can't (shouldn't) have a different set of rules that is alright because it helps your side but then not have it be transferable when it works against you.


I don't know why this doesn't come across to the ones who have no problem with it. It is about "ethics".

[alcibiades_mystery]

37. Ethics complaints are fine: Hillary got more votes fair and square, though

You can cry about the ethics complaints, but you don't get to make dumb arguments like "Sanders would have won Massachusetts if it weren't for Bill Clinton near polling places." Or, you get to make them, but you're gonna get fucking checked on them. Sanders lost. Bill Clinton is a dumbshit. Both of these are true.

[artislife]

39. I am not saying he would have won.

That isn't my issue.

My issue is his actions in a polling station in a state where he cannot legally vote.

[alcibiades_mystery]

41. he wouldn't have won

Dude lost. Period.

[marions ghost]

42. Exactly

the outcome of the election is not contested. However every vote does count, and if anyone could not vote, if even one voter is disenfranchised, that is unforgiveable.

The issue is the integrity of elections. Egregious violations were committed.

[merrily]

60. And?

[silvershadow]

43. maybe we could take a bus

[Uncle Joe]

44. Everyone should have a bull horn as well.

Thanks for the thread, cherokeeprogressive.

[stranger81]

45. Forget about MA -- since they got away with this once already,

I think we can safely count on it happening again in the state with the closest race on every day of the primary going forward. And if they're going to continue pulling this stunt, I think some of us should be there to meet the Big Dog. With bullhorns of our own.

[Helen Borg]

50. Perhaps TYT reporters should!

Would be great publicity for them as well.

[JDPriestly]

48. It's called corruption. It's called machine politics.

It's what the Clintons do. That's their profession.

I'm voting for Bernie because I don't like corruption. I don't like machine politics.

I don't want our country run like it was in the days of Tammany Hall.

Feel the Bern! Bernie is honest and doesn't do machine politics. He doesn't take corporate money, and he doesn't pay people off.

It's time we stop the big money in politics and move toward clean government.

I will vote for all other Democrats on my ballot, but if Hillary is the Democratic nominee, I will not vote for her.

I'm taking a stand against corruption in government, and that requires me to abstain from voting for Hillary. All the other Democrats on my ballot I will support, but not Hillary. Never.

[radical noodle]

52. Bernie at a polling place in New Hampshire

Did you hear any Clinton supporters complaining about this?

[msanthrope]

55. Make this an OP, please. nt

[Vinca]

56. I live in NH. Do you see all the signs? That's where the politics ends. That's the law.

I didn't see Bernie go inside a polling place and tell anyone to pull the lever for him.

[Zynx]

58. This is a dry well and will backfire if you guys pursue it.

Go ahead from my perspective, but this is a massive mistake.