Where ARE the rules? An Indiana Voting Experience
As a fairly new voter - this being my third voting experience and second Presidential voting experience, I was unaware of the “rule” that you are not permitted to wear attire of any kind that supports your candidate.
I’ve searched high and low and have yet to find the “rule” that applies to voters. What I have found is the rules as they apply to soliciting and exit polls citing the distance they must remain from the polling stations.
I make a habit to read everything - especially when it pertains to my vote and I’ve never received anything that states such a rule either.
Today I went to vote. When you walk in to sign in, you’re given a piece of paper that labels you Democrat or Republican. What does it matter if you’ve gone the step further to show your support? I just don’t get that?
Perhaps I would have taken the instruction a bit easier had the person who called me out NOT been a Democrat - had he NOT been a Republican in a county that’s dominated by Republicans and has only a handful of candidates running on the Democratic ticket — had he NOT been a friend of a side of the family I currently have conflict with and had he NOT treated me so poorly and made such a spectacle of my ignorance.
In a loud and controlling tone, the man informed me that I would have to “go to the restroom and turn my shirt wrong side out or leave the premises immediately.”
I looked at him, dumbfounded I’m sure and asked why I was not made aware of that rule? Where was that “rule” in all the voting material I’d received? Where was that “rule” on the voter registration website? Well, I’ve spend a great deal of time trying to find that “rule” and have yet to find anything on a rule as such that pertains to actual “voters” and not campaign volunteers, police or exit poll personnel.
I phoned my mother - she knew nothing of this “rule.” She phoned my aunt who knew of the rule had only heard it, never read it anywhere.
I’ve heard of several cases of this happening already in Indiana. Young voters are not aware of old rules and I think it’s time that our voter registration office realize that old unspoken rules aren’t always recognized by the upcoming generations.
I did phone the local county voter registration office in New Castle, Indiana - but it became painfully obvious that nothing was going to be done to reprimand or even instruct a Republican Clerk to act in any other way. I told the guy I realized nothing would be done and told him to forget my call - I’d be calling the state offices to report my experience.
I did!
After that I phoned the Hillary Clinton Indiana Headquarters. I gave them my story - the verified that such a “rule” does exist but could not tell me where to find this “rule.” Once they took my information, they phoned back a bit later and gave me a number for an office in Arlington, Virginia that tracks harassments and voting issues to see if these are isolated cases or if there’s a trend.
I do hope they are able to recognize the trend of domineering Republicans in Henry County. It’s easy to see why my grandfather always took such issue with Republicans when I was growing up.
In case you are wondering, I did turn my shirt wrong side out. I cast my vote and then when I got in my truck, I took my shirt off - in front of God and everybody and turned it right side out.
I guess when it comes to my political stance, I do take things a little too seriously. But when you’ve been through the hell that my family has - during the current administration - your blood pressure is bound to wager on the high side.
I’m so sick of the strong-arming of area Republicans because they vote purely on the abortion issue. It doesn’t matter what damage a candidate causes to the U.S. so long as they don’t believe in abortion.
Good position huh?
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3 Responses to “Where ARE the rules? An Indiana Voting Experience”
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It’s called electioneering. It’s a state law. Pretty much every state has them. But in Indiana “electioneering includes expressing support or opposition to any candidate or political party or expressing approval or disapproval of any public question in any manner that could reasonably be expected to convey that support or opposition to another individual.” Wearing a shirt with a candidates name on it, or even a political stance on something like war, could be considered electioneering in most states.
Indiana Code 3-14-3-16 classifies the practice of electioneering at a poll as a Class A Misdemeanor. http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar14/ch3.html
The fact that it’s slightly different for every state probably explains why the campaign office couldn’t point you in the specific direction. But the fact that just about every state has this law on their books makes them reasonably positive that the law does exist.
Thanks for the link and for trying to explain this in a way that new or inexperienced voters can understand.
However, what I’m looking for is something in simple terms that can be found for new voters - so they may know what “rules” apply to them prior to going to the polls.
Perhaps if it had happened in another county or another state it wouldn’t have been so bad. But to be in a county that elects a Representative who hid a car for his son for an entire weekend after having hit and killed a man because he is Republican and heaven forbid anyone vote Democrat, Ever.
I just find it just a bit unnerving that I was treated so poorly and not more tactful for my mistake.
You were probably treated so poorly because that side of your family sucks ass! Had you been a stranger, they would not have treated you this way at all.
The only other thing I can think of is that they don’t want rioting to take place while people are trying to vote. I know, it doesn’t make any sense at all since it’s two democrats being voted for in your neck of the woods.
What is up with Indiana? Last night I went to bed and Hillary was ahead by a lot. I wake up this morning to check the stats and they are running neck and neck and Obama is slaughtering her in North Carolina.
Save your money Gayla! Be prepared to vote McCain if Obama wins this one.