GOP Wants Dress Code at Polling Places

[Navigator]

http://news.aol.com/article/politicians-battle-over-voters-attire/200356?icid=200100397x1210549588x1200661306

[Centauri4]

The chances of being influenced to change a vote at the last minute by a T-Shirt have to be one in a billion, so I do not see what the big deal is if someone wants to wear a "Veterans for McCain" or Obama-Biden slogan on themselves.

~

[shaneone]

They should just be happy to get more voters in. Asking for a dress code will turn poeple off

[Naturist Mark]

In Ohio campaign workers are prohibited from doing campaign activities within a certain number of yards of the polls - normally meaning they must be outside the doors while campaigning or giving out handouts etc., so I assume that could apply to their clothing too. But such rules should not apply to voters - freedom of speech should be sacred in the polling place, not prohibited.

-Mark

[Edmontonnudist]

In Alberta in the '04 Provincial Election,I managed to get some stickers that the Registered Nurses got printed up. The Caption Read 'This Election,I'm Not Ralphing'. I removed the backing paper and slipped the sticker under my sleeve.

At the Polling Booth,I slipped it from under my sleeve,and stuck it to the table.

At the time, Ralph Klien was the Premier of Alberta.

[Edmontonnudist]

Have Political Messages on your Outerwear. For underwear,men could have Thongs,for women Thongs and Pasties.

If they tell you 'you can't vote in that attire', Just strip down and vote!

[Boreas]

In Alberta in the '04 Provincial Election,I managed to get some stickers that the Registered Nurses got printed up. The Caption Read 'This Election,I'm Not Ralphing'. I removed the backing paper and slipped the sticker under my sleeve.

At the Polling Booth,I slipped it from under my sleeve,and stuck it to the table.

At the time, Ralph Klien was the Premier of Alberta.

LOL. That is good. Are you Harping this year? Please don't we've had enough. ;)

Canada has some rules around polling booths and advertising. I could not find anything mroe current than 2000. I anticipate a media release soon though as our election is fast approaching.

Advertising blackout: Under section 48 of the Canada Elections Act, registered political parties may not advertise on the day before election day and on election day itself. This two-day blackout period, beginning at midnight Saturday, May 13, 2000 (midnight between Saturday and Sunday), applies to advertising by political parties on radio and television, in periodical publications such as newspapers and magazines, and in government publications.
As a result of a 1996 decision of the Alberta Court of Appeal (Somerville v. Canada [Attorney General]) which held that subsection 213(1) of the Canada Elections Act was of no force and effect, the blackout period no longer applies to candidates, groups or individuals.
Advertising on the Internet or other forms of advertising such as lawn signs, billboards or pamphlets remain unaffected and these forms of publicity may continue.

It appears clothes are not affected. And why should they be? In a democracy we are supposed to be able to express our views. Only when these views could incite violence or hatred should they be curtailed.

http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=med&dir=pre&document=may1100&lang=e&textonly=false

[Bob S.]

It all depends on the interpretation of whether buttons and political shirts are seen as advertising or whether free speech overrules that aspect in the polling place. My guess is that the courts will side with the people in allowing the clothing and buttons for regular voters and will make behaviour more of the issue.

I would say that the workers inside the polling place should be free of political advertising on their clothing.

Bob S.