Second Amendment shirt? No vote for you!

[Perd Hapley]

They claim his shirt violated election laws, because there was a "Second Amendment" measure on the ballot. I don't think I buy that.

http://www.kvue.com/news/Voter-wearing-pro-gun-shirt-turned-away--246554791.html

Also, what kinda stupid logo is that for a Second Amendment t-shirt? A skull and two PGO shotguns?  Also note the Blackwater shotgun.

[dogmush]

Stupid logo.

But the question on the ballot was whether or not the party should support the second amendment and the shirt is pretty clearly relevant to that.  And from the counter story it seems like it's more or less universally enforced.  The guy got to vote.  I think I agree with the call.  With things like the panthers in Philly and some of the historical abuses outside polling places I'd rather err on the side of caution.  Especially when the error just makes someone turn a shirt inside out.

[Fitz]

I'd say if there's a measure on the ballot related to it, and someone's wearing a shirt in support of it, then it does run afowl of the rules.

[Perd Hapley]

I'd say if there's a measure on the ballot related to it, and someone's wearing a shirt in support of it, then it does run afowl of the rules.

If...

His shirt didn't suggest any particular view of the ballot measure, did it?

[Firethorn]

His shirt didn't suggest any particular view of the ballot measure, did it?

I'd say that it did.  Otherwise wearing a t-shirt with a candidate's face on it also doesn't count as 'electioneering'.  Whether electioneering laws run afoul of the 1st is something for Judges to decide, but I can understand it - otherwise if one side 'packs' the voting area with obvious supporters it can amount to voter intimidation.

[Sergeant Bob]

So, he has to surrender his 1st Amendment rights, to vote on the 2nd Amendment?

[brimic]

I don't want to see any obama or romney bumperstickers on cars 100' from the door of polling places then either.

[Tallpine]

I don't want to see any obama or romney bumperstickers on cars 100' from the door of polling places then either.

No, one election between those two is enough 

[Balog]

What if you have no non-political shirts? ZOMG disenfranchisement! Next they'll be asking for ID or something...

[Perd Hapley]

With things like the panthers in Philly and some of the historical abuses outside polling places I'd rather err on the side of caution.  Especially when the error just makes someone turn a shirt inside out.

OK, I guess I'll agree with this.

Fair enough.

[Scout26]

<----- Election Judge. (Head Judge at my poling places.)

If there is a measure on the ballot that even remotely touches on the subject of a shirt the person is wearing, we will ask them to leave.  There is no electioneering allowed within 100 ft of the polling place here in Illinois.  If all you have are "political" shirts, then wear a jacket over it.

"No electioneering" means just that.  Whether we agree with the sentiment or not. 

You can express your 1st Amendment rights all you want starting at 101ft from the polling place.  The polling place is neutral ground. 

And yes, I have had to tell people to leave because of what they are wearing.  Even had one lady report me to election comission because I asked someone who was wearing an Obama shirt last election to leave or put on a coat.   Got to talk to two investigators from the Secretary of States office because I was "suppressing the vote".     The really fun ones are the ones that stand outside and try to shove flyers and the like in voters hands.  I get lots of complaints from the voters, but I tell them as long as they are beyond the "No Electioneering" signs, there's nothing I can do about it. Sorry.

[Perd Hapley]

The really fun ones are the ones that stand outside and try to shove flyers and the like in voters hands.  I get lots of complaints from the voters, but I tell them as long as they are beyond the "No Electioneering" signs, there's nothing I can do about it. Sorry.

If you practice the dead-eyed, thousand-yard stare, and walk right past them, no worries. Or maybe it just works for me, because I am ugly, and appear to be illiterate.

I presume scary eye contact works, too.

[Firethorn]

If you practice the dead-eyed, thousand-yard stare, and walk right past them, no worries. Or maybe it just works for me, because I am ugly, and appear to be illiterate.

I presume scary eye contact works, too.

So, are you the guy in the lower right?

[Perd Hapley]

So, are you the guy in the lower right?

Get away from me.