The GOP wants dress code for voting in pa ???

[amber]

This sounds silly too me.


By MARTHA RAFFAELE, Associated Press Writer
Sat Oct 4, 10:01 AM ET



HARRISBURG, Pa. - Sue Nace thought election volunteers were joking when they told her she would have to remove her T-shirt to vote in the presidential primary last spring.

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But it was no laughing matter to the poll workers-turned-fashion police, who said Nace's Obama shirt was inappropriate electioneering — and made her cover the writing before casting a ballot.

Now, a political fight over what voters can wear to the polls is headed to court in Pennsylvania — with the Republican Party favoring a dress code and Democrats opposed.

To the GOP, the lack of rules could open the door to all kinds of questionable displays — even, one Republican leader suggested, something as outlandish as a musical hat.

To the Democrats, voters should be free to express themselves. They fear a dress code could scare away some new voters.

The political showdown was triggered by a Pennsylvania Department of State memo advising counties last month that voters' attire doesn't matter as long as the "voter takes no additional action to attempt to influence other voters."

Because the memo is not legally binding, some counties have kept past restrictions on clothing and political buttons.

But two Pittsburgh-area elections officials sued to have the memo rescinded. Their lawsuit warned that if the memo stands, "nothing would prevent a partisan group from synchronizing a battalion of like-minded individuals ... to descend on a polling place, presenting a domineering, united front, certain to dissuade the average citizen who may privately hold different beliefs."

This fight over the interpretation of a state law designed to shield the polls from partisan electioneering could determine which presidential candidate's supporters might be turned away from the polls in this battleground state.

Democrats have benefited from a surge in voter registration this year, with young adults 18-24 making up the largest group of new registrants, according to statistics from March 30 to Sept. 8. A poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University showed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pulling 15 percentage points ahead of Republican John McCain in the state.

State Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney said GOP support for the dress code is a partisan effort to scare away new voters.

"To go (to the polls) and engage in an expression of democracy and then be accosted by the fashion police is a form of voter intimidation," he said.

The state Republican Party says Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell's administration crafted a partisan memo that would open the door to abuses.

"The first thing would be a button or a shirt, and maybe the next thing would be a musical hat," said GOP chairman Robert Gleason, who called a news conference in support of dress codes.

Douglas Hill, head of Pennsylvania's association of county commissioners, believes the state's 67 counties are now evenly split on the question. Before the memo, counties leaned toward banning politically polarizing clothing and buttons because "they didn't want to get into fine-line disputes," he said.

Nace, a 44-year-old Obama supporter, hopes the state's recommendation will stand so she can vote Nov. 4 while wearing her political leanings on her sleeve.

"Especially with this election, for some reason it feels very personal to me," she said. "Even when I see another car with a bumper sticker on it, it's like, 'Yeah, they get it.'"

During the April 22 primary, Nace was allowed into the voting booth in York County only after she rolled up her Obama T-shirt to hide the writing. After the state memo came out, York County rescinded its ban.

At least four states — Maine, Montana, Vermont and Kansas_ explicitly prohibit wearing campaign buttons, stickers and badges inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and state officials.

In Kentucky, elections officials last month told poll workers they should admit voters decked out in campaign apparel, after e-mails circulated warning that Obama supporters would be turned away if they wore shirts and pins.

[Jinh]

<SPAMSPAMSPAMt least four states — Maine, Montana, Vermont and Kansas_ explicitly prohibit wearing campaign buttons, stickers and badges inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and state officials.>>

Wow, I didn't know Montana had such a law...hmmm

[PK...]

It is against the law to campaign within so many feet of the polls.... I consider buttons, and T-shirts to be in the same category as signs, which are verboten... So I was surprised that it would even be an issue.

Gil will be a poll worker this year. If he gets a packet of any kind, I will report on what's what here in Arkansas... (I was asked, too, but declined because I wouldn't be able to meet the dress code... <wink>)

;0))

PK

[Jinh]

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PK...;1787522:
It is against the law to campaign within so many feet of the polls.... I consider buttons, and T-shirts to be in the same category as signs, which are verboten... So I was surprised that it would even be an issue.

Gil will be a poll worker this year. If he gets a packet of any kind, I will report on what's what here in Arkansas... (I was asked, too, but declined because I wouldn't be able to meet the dress code... <wink>)

;0))

PK
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<< (I was asked, too, but declined because I wouldn't be able to meet the dress code... <wink>)>>

;0))
I knew it! PK with her crazy elephant hat!

[amber]

I think if you work at a polling place and you are wearing a t shirt of obama, then I yes i think that should be not allowed.

but a voter ? I don't get it, I mean it's not like anyone chooses who they are voting for based on a t shirt or a sticker or a sign.

[Jinh]

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amber;1787566:
I think if you work at a polling place and you are wearing a t shirt of obama, then I yes i think that should be not allowed.

but a voter ? I don't get it, I mean it's not like anyone chooses who they are voting for based on a t shirt or a sticker or a sign.
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I haven't decided how I feel about this...I can't imagine a button or tee shirt would change a person's vote at the last minute...

[sam king cat]

So does that mean or imply that if a woman arrives at her polling station to place her vote and she is wearing frameless glasses (or peep toe ox blood red pumps) or has her hair pulled up win a butterfly clip that this may not be accepted ?

[SavhLaney]

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Jinh;1787570:
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amber;1787566:
I think if you work at a polling place and you are wearing a t shirt of obama, then I yes i think that should be not allowed.

but a voter ? I don't get it, I mean it's not like anyone chooses who they are voting for based on a t shirt or a sticker or a sign.
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I haven't decided how I feel about this...I can't imagine a button or tee shirt would change a person's vote at the last minute...
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It is the way it has always been. It would be wrong for poll workers or anyone entering the voting place to wear shirts/buttons supporting either side. This is nothing new.

[Mia]

In Florida (Miami) people entered the voting place wearing buttons and T-shirts with whoever they were endorsing. Not only that, outside there were people handing out flyers and anything else they could.

[Monicauf]

It is the same in Central Fl too, you can wear whatever you want, including a shirt endorsing someone when voting, and there are people outside handing out flyers, but I think they have to be a certain distance away- I will see them on the road/entrance leading to the polling place but not when I am close to the entrance.

[Cindyloo]

Well, I think it's silly!

I say, we ought'a be able to wear what we want. I swear, this election thing has gotten to be a 3 ring circus.

[Monicauf1]

Morning Cindy- come down here, we are casual, laid back down here and no worries about a silly dress code unless you decide to work at a polling place.

[Cindyloo]

Morning Moni

I might just do that.

If I ever decided to work at the polling place, I'll wear my Ohio State Buckeye tee shirt and DARE them to say anything...lol

[Monicauf1]

That would be a cool shirt to wear, My brother in law is from Ohio, Bucarus-he is an Ohio fan and Gator fan. How did the Buckeyes do last night? The Gators won yesterday, but we played sloppy- the freshman team gave us a run for out money and with our schedule this year that is scary. We play LSU next week, the LSU fans- some of them, well many of them are mean and nasty. I think the best fans are Georgia, they don't care if you are a Fl fan, they will invite you to tailgate with them, they are alot of fun!

[Cindyloo]

Ohio State won. I think it was 17 to 13. I didn't watch it though. I went to bed. Hubby watched it.

We were going to try to go to some of the games, but haven't gone yet.

I am looking forward to Michigan and OS. Those are our rivals and the games are always good. Not sure when THAT game is.

I remember you telling me that your brother lived in Ohio.

Your game with LSU is always a good game too, like Michigan and Ohio.

Dang, I edited and wrote a big ole' post and it didn't take.

I ask...how does your carpet and tile look? I bet it's nice. We are going to do our kitchen floor, but not sure what to do it in. We're thinking of doing it in the laminated wood. I have hardwood floors throughout except in the family room. I just use area rugs on the hardwood floors.

[Monicauf1]

What about Michigan State? Not sure how important they are, but you guys play against them October 18th- on November 22 you play against Michigan and it is a home game for you ( I went to the Buckeyes football schedule) that sounds like it would be a great game for you to go to. True, about us and LSU, the game is on at 8pm next Saturday, from my experience with their fans well I am not too thrilled with them.

I love my carpet and tile! My brother in law and I took out the old carpet/padding and tile ourselves so I had been walking on cement floor for the longest time- I hated it, but I really could not complain, a roof over your head, a job and food is better than what many have. The padding is extra thick and the carpet just feels so comfy. My tile is called a texas beige, it has beige and gold, the carpet is a light tannish color so it matches perfectly.

What do you have in the family room? Carpet? Hardwood floors sound great and the laminated wood in the kitchen would match, but would that be too much wood? Maybe, go with a lighter color with the laminated wood than with the rest of the home, a little difference but it would add contrast and you would not have to worry about keeping the grout clean. Sounds great! Did you ever get the new kitchen stove? I have heard gas stoves heat your food faster, mine is just an old fashoned stove but it is still great looking and works great. Let us know what you will be doing.....

[SavhLaney]

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Monicauf1;1787679:
I think the best fans are Georgia, they don't care if you are a Fl fan, they will invite you to tailgate with them, they are alot of fun!
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Guess you've never been to Athens. Most Georgia fans are scum.

[PK...]

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Jinh;1787559:

<< (I was asked, too, but declined because I wouldn't be able to meet the dress code... <wink>)>>

;0))
I knew it! PK with her crazy elephant hat!
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Hah... I tried to convince them it was a long nosed Razorback..... They weren't buying it...

Hey, I just thought of you... LOL, as I dropped a bundle at OverStock...

Picked up some nice rugs to put on the new tile....

;0))

PK

[Monicauf1]

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SavhLaney;1787740:
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Monicauf1;1787679:
I think the best fans are Georgia, they don't care if you are a Fl fan, they will invite you to tailgate with them, they are alot of fun!
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Guess you've never been to Athens. Most Georgia fans are scum.
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No, I haven't been to Athens, but I have gone to the Fl/Georiga game numerous times and the Georgia fans are the best, they will invite the Gator fans to eat with them, the Gators and Dawgs drink together, eat together, and will never ever call them scum-we all have fun together on game day and for them to be that accomadating when they know they will lose is wonderful. Now LSU fans from my game days experience are definitely scum, they will spit on you, throw their drink on you- LSU has some truly disgusting fans.

[amber]

Too this rule is like saying, yes, were giving you the freedom too elect your leader, but we are going too tell you how too dress when you do it. Like I get it ?

It just seems like something so petty too me.

[PK...]

As long as a law is on the books, it should be enforced, shouldn't it? I understand no buttons, banners, bumper stickers, etc., (even sheet cakes, LOL) with candidates names are not allowed in NYpoll... It hasn't been enforced, or enforced sketchily over the years, but it is on the books... Usually they just ask people to remove the offending material... Though removing a shirt might be a little unwise, LOL...

It seems to me that the Obama camp's email campaign is just trying to stir up a little mess, and pin it on the Republicans, as usual...

If you disagree, get the law changed, but why take a chance by defying it...

;0))

PK

[beachreader]

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PK...;1787761:
As long as a law is on the books, it should be enforced, shouldn't it? I understand no buttons, banners, bumper stickers, etc., (even sheet cakes, LOL) with candidates names are not allowed in NYpoll... It hasn't been enforced, or enforced sketchily over the years, but it is on the books... Usually they just ask people to remove the offending material... Though removing a shirt might be a little unwise, LOL...

It seems to me that the Obama camp's email campaign is just trying to stir up a little mess, and pin it on the Republicans, as usual...

If you disagree, get the law changed, but why take a chance by defying it...

;0))

PK
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I agree. If it is a law it is a law...same as any other law....and should be enforced.

That said there isn't anything that anyone wears that is going to offend me or change my mind so if one wants to go to the polls with a light up dancing and singing Obama or McCain hat on their heads well I say go for it...I might as well be entertained.

Here in PA our kids are not allowed to wear tank tops to school (with the thinner straps), if they do the parents are called in to bring a new top. That is just one of the many things on the dress code list. I do not necessarily agree with that one but it is the rule so.........

[Scoops]

Sounds like that person voting and wearing a shirt endorsing a candidate was new to the process....everyone here in MA knows we have rules similar to that...nothing with candidates names within so many feet of the polls. No buttons, signs, shirts, flyers, etc. They say there are a lot of newly registered folks this time around so there will be plenty of people getting a clue about the ins and outs of voting in November.

[Cindyloo]

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Monicauf1;1787700:
What about Michigan State? Not sure how important they are, but you guys play against them October 18th- on November 22 you play against Michigan and it is a home game for you ( I went to the Buckeyes football schedule) that sounds like it would be a great game for you to go to. True, about us and LSU, the game is on at 8pm next Saturday, from my experience with their fans well I am not too thrilled with them.

I love my carpet and tile! My brother in law and I took out the old carpet/padding and tile ourselves so I had been walking on cement floor for the longest time- I hated it, but I really could not complain, a roof over your head, a job and food is better than what many have. The padding is extra thick and the carpet just feels so comfy. My tile is called a texas beige, it has beige and gold, the carpet is a light tannish color so it matches perfectly.

What do you have in the family room? Carpet? Hardwood floors sound great and the laminated wood in the kitchen would match, but would that be too much wood? Maybe, go with a lighter color with the laminated wood than with the rest of the home, a little difference but it would add contrast and you would not have to worry about keeping the grout clean. Sounds great! Did you ever get the new kitchen stove? I have heard gas stoves heat your food faster, mine is just an old fashoned stove but it is still great looking and works great. Let us know what you will be doing.....
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Morning again Moni..lol

I meant Michigan State we play later. Thanks for the dates, wasn't sure when we played them. They are more our rival than just plain ole' Michigan..lol

I'm going to try to watch your game with LSU.

I have carpet in the family room which is open to the kitchen, so I might go with tile in the kitchen, something that matches good with the carpet, which is a light brown, some regular brown, berber type, instead of going with laminated wood.

Yes, I got the new cook stove. A tappan and I love it. It's electric. I would rather have gas, but will stick to electric.