GOP seeks ban on political clothing at polling places(PA-By Voters)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

HARRISBURG - If top state Republicans get their way, you can forget about wearing that Obama T-shirt when you step up to cast your vote Nov. 4.

Palin pins will be off limits, too.

It's called "passive electioneering" and GOP officials today called on the Rendell administration to enforce a little-known, decades-old law they say bans such things.

"We strongly believe Pennsylvanians should be able to look to the polling place as a safe harbor, free of any type of electioneering, without any outside influences," Robert Gleason, chairman of the state Republican Party, said at a Capitol news conference.

In past years, some local election officials across Pennsylvania - but not in Philadelphia - have enforced the provision, going as far as asking voters to turn their T-shirts inside out.

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The ACLU and the League of Women Voters last month asked the Pennsylvania Department of State to weigh in on the topic, believing that preventing voters from wearing T-shirts with a candidate's name on it infringes on their freedom of speech.


Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080918_GOP_seeks_ban_on_political_clothing_at_polling_places.html

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These clowns will try any trick they can to intimidate Democratic voters.

[rzemanfl]

1. Just wear blue and take your time coming and going. n/t

[TomInTib]

2. Maybe they should simply ban clothing, period.

That way, all those hung-up pukes would stay home and we could all run around naked.

[RoccoR5955]

4. It gets a little cold in some parts to run around in the raw...

... I do like the idea though.

[babylonsister]

3. I don't think political clothing is allowed in TX either; we're encouraged

to not wear our candidate on our chest, sleeve, etc. That goes for voters and is positively forbidden by poll workers. I don't think it's just a rethug thing.

[TomInTib]

6. But they can carry their Bibles with their tip sheets in them.

I would stand in line and say awful things about them, 'way back then.

[Demeter]

19. Nor in Michigan

[tanyev]

5. OMG, hideous flashback.

I was monitoring early voting in 2004 and the election judges were enforcing that rule here in Texas. (Mostly it was Bush voters, ha!) One guy in his late 20s or early 30s wearing a Bush t-shirt strutted up to cast his vote and they stopped him and told him he would have to put on a jacket or turn his shirt inside out. He pulled it off and threw it on the floor and voted shirtless. It really wasn't a pleasant sight. x(

[fascisthunter]

7. just like nazis.... control, control, control everyone's freedoms

and prevent as many people from taking part in our democratic process.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

8. How about a blue shirt with a big "O"?

I think I'll make one up for myself :)

oh- and put it on the front AND back of the shirt

[defendandprotect]

35. Make it 'O ----for O'bama -- better, I think -- ??

[Vanje]

9. Years ago in Oregon , decades ago, actually

We took down our signs and removed our lapel pins on election day. No more radio or TV spots aired.
I dont know if it was the law, or just a custom.

The idea was to leave people unhassled, on the day they made their solemn trip to the voting booth.
I liked it. I used to remove my signs and buttons as well. It was as if to say, on election day , we are one people and theres more that unites us than divides us.

But fuck that shit.
That was then. It was lovely to be that naive. I used to believe that everyone held the sanctity of the vote. Can you believe it! I actually thought democracy actually worked!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

12. i remember those days too - reminds me of a song....

Sorry for all the la las, but i thought someone might like to sing along.
I remember when this came out on the radio- the fall after MLK and RFK were assassinated.

Once upon a time there was a tavern where we used to raise a glass or two.
Remember how we laughed away the hours and dreamed of all the great things we would do.

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La la la la la la
La la la la la la

Then the busy years went rushing by us. We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern, we'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days
La la la la la la


Just tonight I stood before the tavern, Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection, Was that lonely woman really me?

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days
La la la la la la

Through the door there came familiar laughter. I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh, my friend, we're older but no wiser. For in our hearts the dreams are still the same...

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days
La la la la la la
La la la la la la

Listen to MAry Hopkins sing it here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5pkkAhETYg

[mmm413]

10. Amazing

Imagine if the Democrats tried to bar people from wearing crosses or any image of Christianity into a polling place. My Go! Those Godless Democrats. Republicans are actually for the first time in a long time terrified. I love it. Let them suck eggs.

[theblasmo]

11. Oklahoma, too.

The last time I went to vote with a candidate's T-shirt on -- Clinton, '92 -- they told me to take it off, so I went to the car and did so. I came back with another T-shirt, and the button I initially had on -- "Clinton Rapid Response Team". They told me to take that off, as well. I assumed it was that way everywhere, to try and keep things neutral.

[Hulk]

13. This whole subject is absurd....

SO if you wear a t-shirt with Obama on it, and you take it off and have a tatoo with Obama on YOU....do you have to tear off your skin too?

Come on America. Do you honestly think this has ANY affect on people at a polling place? Jesus, we are getting insane in this country!

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

14. Good

I got tired of seeing "Bush2000" or "Bush2004".

[MJJP21]

15. But

But it's ok for people to pass out campaign literature before you walk in? Sounds like a double standard and definitely a case of infringement of free speech.

[4lbs]

16. Here's what to do that they CANNOT STOP....

** AFTER ** you place your vote and it goes into the box, or gets scanned, or whatever, yell loudly for all to hear:

"I just voted for Obama and Biden!!!"

[Demeter]

21. You Want We Poll Workers Should Call The Cops on You?

What part of secret ballot and decorum don't you get?

[Hugabear]

36. What the FUCK

"Secret Ballot" just means that you aren't required to let everyone else know who you voted for.

It does NOT mean that you are forbidden to tell anyone who you voted for.

What part of First Amendment don't you get?

[GinaMaria]

27. For the primaries in Chicago

some republican turd from my neighborhood stood in line for a ballot shouting about the candidate he was campaigning for. Everyone he saw that he knew, he would engage in conversation where he took over and loudly talked about his candidate. He thought he was hilarious. Everyone in line just rolled their eyes and asked for a Democratic Ballot. Since this is Chicago, it is safe to assume, he doesn't have many friends. :eyes:

My point is that this kind of behavior usually has the opposite effect. Take the high road like our candidate. Let them act like 5th grade fools

[ShortnFiery]

17. It's hard enough to get to the polls without all this BS that just an excuse for disenfranchisement.

:thumbsdown:

[radfringe]

18. then all those folks hanging around outside the polls

and handing out "vote for me" flyers should have to go stand up the road somewhere


:rofl: had a thought, I'd wear a palin-mccain t-shirt over another shirt, when I'm told I have to remove it, I'll take it off, throw it on the ground, spit on it and grind it into the dirt... :rofl:

[Demeter]

20. We Have a 100 Ft Setback in Michigan

from the door to the polling place.

[GinaMaria]

29. Same in Illinois

except it is 100 ft from the poll not the door. Some repube troglodyte argued that I was in violation. I suggested he move out of Chicago where his team doesn't even come out to play (bitter much?), and move to DuPage county where he could be with his kind.

Point is; check the ordinance, law or whatever and make sure it is clear exactly how far from the poll or the door etc. You want to get as close as you legally can.

[krkaufman]

22. You can bet this wouldn't be happening if they felt confident in their own candidate's support.

This is a good sign for Democrats.

[PuppyBismark]

23. It's been the law in Ohio for some time

I'm an Ohio election worker and it is the rule here. One of the first things we do is to post signs 100 feet from the polling place indicating it is a electioneering free zone. If anyone comes in, they must remove their buttons etc. We will ask them to wear a coat over a t-shirt or reverse it. Doesn't matter, what party.

Never been a problem here as it has always been enforced. We got much bigger problems than this to consider, not a biggie.

:-) :-)

[demgurl]

24. I can't help but think this is part of stealing the election.

They can say what they want about poll numbers being wrong and that McCain truly did win but it is hard to say this if 3 out of 4 voters, leaving the voting booth, is wearing Obama apparel. Think about it, it would be much harder for them to steal if every one of us wore Obama/Biden shirts/buttons/etc...when we voted. That may be our last chance to stop them form stealing this.

[GinaMaria]

25. umm the election is in November

wont most people in Pennsylvania be wearing coats? You wont be able to see t-shirts etc. tools!

[Matariki]

26. Have they also succeeded in stopping exit polls?

Very curious.

[Pete2069]

28. Not only are the republicans deleting democrats from voting

And using their corporate friends which are in charge of the
electronic voting machines ,,  to switch , delete or add your
votes for the republicans so they can receive more votes then
democrats candidates receive ,,, 
   
The next project democrats will not be allowed to vote for
themselves but have a republican substitute do their voting
for them and this will make everything simpler for republicans
to win and control all the results.....

Don't you just love our freedom , rights and democracy which
Bush has forced on us and trying to force on the rest of the
world with our military...

There not another person which try this around 60 some years
ago , with the help of Bush's grandfather Prescott Bush....
****

http://reynoldswriter.blogspot.com/2007/04/prescott-bush-and-golden-age-of-war.html

When the Remingtons, duPonts, Rockefellers, Mellons, J.P.
Morgan, George Herbert Walker, Samuel Bush and Prescott Bush,
as well as other representatives of America's corporate elite
decided to overthrow the government of the United States in
1934, they recruited retired Marine General Smedley Butler to
lead it.

*******
http://www.jonesreport.com/articles/240707_bush_fascist.html

BBC: Bush's Grandfather Planned Fascist Coup In America

[Naythan]

30. It's a tough call...

... I remember in high school we had a school district referendum on whether or not to build a new high school. When we arrived at school on voting day we were all instructed to remove our buttons and any other material that was either for or against the referendum. Being the students we were we quickly covered up our buttons with hand made "censored" signs, how dare they restrict our speech!

Many years later I realize why we were wrong in our reaction. I've since studied constitutional law, and am a firm advocate of freedom of speech. However, not only as a matter of decorum, I agree that there should be no electioneering within a voting area. This extends to individuals who want to wear shirts, pins, hats, etc.

If, when I go to vote, I saw another individual with an Obama shirt, I might be happy knowing that he's getting another vote, I'd also feel uncomfortable. I'm all for displaying your support for a candidate, in fact I have many buttons, window and lawn signs, magnets, t-shirts, etc expressing my support for a candidate that I display proudly. However, I would never wear them to a polling booth.

This is just my opinion, and I realize that just because I'm uncomfortable doesn't mean that people shouldn't do it, it's just that I believe polling areas should be treated with respect, decorum, and neutrality.

Sorry for the rant. :)

[Faith No More]

31. These republican bastards have to go,

every goddamn, stinking one of them. They don't deserve to live in America.

[stubtoe]

32. "Passive electioneering"? No, it's called "Freedom of Speech".

How desperate they must be.

[defendandprotect]

33. Right ... it's one of the best "exit polls" and ways to read the election ...

before the steal -- !!!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

34. In Texas we just put a sweater of jacket over them when we get close

I took some elderly ladies in 2004 who wore Kerry/Edwards shirts and didn't cover them up until they were at the door to go in. However, they should have covered them earlier since by law you have to when you pass the last political sign which is 100 foot from the entrance.

[badgervan]

37. This is How....

... we lose our freedoms - drip by drip, one small thing leading to a little bigger things, etc. Stand up for your rights! I still can't believe that bush, mccain, etc. can get away with keeping Dems out of their public gatherings.. and no one is really all that bothered by it.

[ThoughtCriminal]

38. Same in Arizona

enforced within 75 feet of entrance. Applies to everyone.

[cui bono]

39. I thought this was the law everywhere within 100' of a polling place.

?