Will Dress Code Affect Your Right To Vote?

Battles Over Voter Signups, Residency And Polling Place Etiquette May Block Your Ballot

(CBS/AP)  In Pennsylvania, two Pittsburgh-area elections officials are suing to permit a dress code at polling places, after a Pennsylvania Department of State memo advised counties last month that voters' attire doesn't matter.

In Virginia, where backers of both Barack Obama and John McCain are pushing for registration of college students in this battleground state, many students were wrongly advised by officials that registering could adversely affect their parents' taxes.

In Michigan, campaign officials are suing to prevent lists of foreclosed homes being used to prevent voters from voting at their local precinct.

And in Ohio, a legal skirmish over same-day registration and voting has not prevented thousands from casting absentee ballots a month before Election Day, even though they do not plan on being out of state come November 4.

Across the country, voter registration leading up to a highly-anticipated presidential election has been up, but so are concerns that bureaucracy, misreadings of election law, or just plain stupid mistakes may cost many Americans their right to exercise their vote.


No Shirt, No Shoes, No Vote?

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

But it was no laughing matter to the poll workers-turned-fashion police, who said Nace's Barack 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.

Last month the state's highest election office issued a memo advising counties that voters' attire doesn't matter as long as the "voter takes no additional action to attempt to influence other voters."

In their lawsuit, two election officials warn 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."

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

Wearing a Palin or Obama T-shirt? You may be sent home.

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.

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.


Sorry, You've Been De-Registered

With memories of past election hassles, many are opting to vote by absentee ballot, to avoid long lines or questionable electronic voting machines. However, the process to obtain and submit an absentee ballot, while easier in some states, also has pitfalls.

To obtain an absentee ballot, an absentee application form may be submitted. Because of a printing error on an application form sent out by the McCain campaign in several states, thousands of voters who requested absentees were rejected if the voter failed to check a box that needn't have been on the form in the first place.

More stringent rules about checking the eligibility of voters means also that many registrations are rejected because the name or address on the form may not EXACTLY match the information on a person's driver's license or in another official database.

If you registered as John Q. Public but your license reads JONATHAN Q. Public, you may be challenged at the polls - turned away or asked to fill out a provisional ballot that can be counted (or not) once the information can be verified.

To check whether you are registered, there are online links to Web sites and phone numbers of local elections offices at CanIVote.org.

There is also an online calendar of voter registration deadlines, state-by-state, at VotersUnite.org.


Lost Your House, Lost Your Vote?

Michigan election officials say they will remind local clerks that home foreclosure lists are not sufficient to challenge voting status.

State elections director Chris Thomas said foreclosure lists alone aren't enough to contest a voter's residence. A person whose home is in the foreclosure process still could be living at the address on the foreclosure list.

The notice could ease an ongoing flap about disputed allegations of possible challenges to Michigan voters in Macomb County, considered a possible key area in the presidential contest between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.

The Obama campaign filed a lawsuit to prevent the Michigan GOP from using foreclosure lists as a residency challenge.

Marion County GOP Chairman Tom John told the Indianapolis Star that while his party has no plans to pursue such challenges, he wouldn't rule it out.

"I think it would be a solid basis for asking someone to vote provisionally," John said.


Old Enough To Vote, But Not Here?

In late August, a notice by a Montgomery County election official aimed at clarifying the voter registration process for Virginia Tech students actually mislead potential voters, creating a firestorm. It read in part,

“The Code of Virginia states that a student must declare a legal residence in order to register. A legal residence can be either a student’s permanent address from home or their current college residence. By making Montgomery County your permanent residence, you have declared your independence from your parents and can no longer be claimed as a dependent on their income tax filings.”

The statement also warned that students could lose their scholarships as the result of an address change.

After the IRS disputed the tax claims, the official released another notice which clarified some aspects but still caused concern that students would not be allowed to vote, in part because of the vagaries of declaring an "abode" and a "domicile."

[lmartink]

A dress code to go the polls? Welcome to Soviet Union..

[ioweign]

So I can''''t wear my ''''BUCK FUSH'''' shirt?

Posted by onemoretim at 12:28 PM : Oct 04, 2008


Of course, you can wear your BUCK FUSH shirt - the GOP just won''t let you vote...

[pvperson]

It amazes me how much the republicans hate America. If they dislike our laws and democracy so much, why don''t they go to a country more suited to their feelings, like Iran or Russia?

[ramos937]

Pennsylvanian Sue Nace thought election volunteers were joking last spring when they told her she would have to remove her T-shirt to vote in the U.S. presidential primary. But it was no laughing matter to the poll workers-turned-fashion police, who said Nace''s Barack Obama shirt was inappropriate electioneering - and made her cover the writing before casting a ballot.

------------------------------------------

Folks cannot campaign within 100 yards of a polling place so I can see the official viewpoint in this instance. However, in all other cases, every legally registered voter has to be allowed to vote. We have paid too high a price for these other folks not to be allowed to vote.
Any official imposing his/own personal likes should be arrested.

[kerick913]

Polling places are so 18th century - along with our primary process. Thankfully, I live in WA state where I have a permanent mail-in absentee ballot, and most of our elections are mail-in only. I never have to miss an election due to work travel or vacation, I never miss an election for any other purpose, I have not been to a polling place for almost 15 years. I can vote without rushing or worrying about my attire. We should all go to mail-in or internet voting and get rid of the polling places and influence voting (dragging a bunch of bums to register and vote - like the Dems are doing in Ohio).

[tallyman2008]

Gatofeo, and those few States mentioned in this story

Sorry, wrong - least in Florida. Wiki Ion Sancho Leon County Supervisor - where the 2000 Vote was always right, first time every time. Learn how to run Elections proper from Ion Sancho.

Can ''post'' election signs ''near'' a poll, just not ON the poll property. Otherwise, how near is near ?

And once off the poll property, are trespassing on private property, unless you are that property owner. Side of road State Right of Ways are definitely off limits by Law, so are telephone poles - private property again.

Can carry any sign, wear any shirt or hat, deck out your car or truck - while you vote.

All of these are Free Speech, Freedom of Expression.

But - has to be ''part'' of you. So not leave any ''parts'' behind when YOU leave. Freedom of Expression is something we carry with us, and it goes when we go. If try park car all day with banners will get towed.

And, you can hang around outside the poll with your shirt and sign. Just do not impede a voter, that is free access. And probably not wise to make them mad or they might vote for other side - Honey/Vinegar/Flies

You speak of ''common sense''

Would you change your vote just because someone else was wearing a shirt or button as they voted? Are you that easily influenced?

Why do you think others would? You that much smarter than them? Are they that easily influenced?

;-)

Oh, and ''jackasses going against the grain'' is how this Nation got started

[roachcrusher]

Republicans are already starting in their bid to steal a third election in a row. What a bunch of conniving hyenas.

[whyaskwhy1]

them dumbocrats always be trying to cheat the system

[dburfears]

t amazes me how much the republicans hate America. If they dislike our laws and democracy so much, why don''''''''t they go to a country more suited to their feelings, like Iran or Russia? posted by PVperson at 12:53 PM : Oct 04, 2008
----

Republicans believe in America- An America where only their people can vote. What a bunch of FASCISTS. They should move to China, where one party is the norm and they can find comfort in different people being denied their rights because they are not "of the PARTY". F''em.

[gonesouthern]

I rather talk about fashion police that "Hanging chads"
any day.
Good points on both sides are made. I can see how this could easily become a raging political fashion expression to the max. Talking hats, now that is a innovative way to push you political views and illegal it must be.
Common sense would be to much to ask for i''m sure but that is all it would take to defuse this upcoming issue at the polls.

[sommersdavid]

Why can''t the Republicans let all the Americans vote. A country which was founded on everyone having equal say and rights, should embrace the chance to have a true election. Let every American over the age of 18 vote and actually count all of the votes in this election. It would be nice to have an election where all Americans voted and the votes were actually counted and a true democracy would prevail. It used to happen!!!!

[steeepe]

The GOP is full of lying and criminal elements who will stop at nothing to retain power. The FBI should investigate and the DOJ should prosecute.

[boffo1962]

I don''t get it. I can wear a sticker that says McCain or Obama, but I can''t have in the design of the t-shirt? How does that follow?

[wdrussell1]

No Rolex, no vote.
Where do you think you are, America?

[kc629]

Why can''''t the Republicans let all the Americans vote. A country which was founded on everyone having equal say and rights, should embrace the chance to have a true election. Let every American over the age of 18 vote and actually count all of the votes in this election. It would be nice to have an election where all Americans voted and the votes were actually counted and a true democracy would prevail. It used to happen!!!!


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Posted by sommersdavid at 01:45 PM : Oct 04, 2008


you are right!

I say get rid of the electoral college and let AMERICAN CITIZENS vote!

[mominmaine]

Another right-wing extremist ploy to try and steal an election. Republicans, in their typical hypocritical fashion, couldn''t care less about real democracy. They can best be described as petulant and privileged
with low moral character and mediocre minds. They simply feel entitled to the office and will do pretty much anything to get it. Nothing is too low for this type. They''ll spends a ton of money, lie, manipulate and assassinate the character of people whose shoes they are not fit to shine. They are in a word, unAmerican.

[noirceur]

How dare they try to tell me what I can and can''t wear to vote.Were led to believe that the U.S. is freedom.HA!Thats becoming a joke more and more with each passing year.And people who have lost their home,losing their right to vote...what kind of
bullsh!t is that.

[kittykatty2]

singinrich I couldn''t agree with you more. gctomajtom you aren''t american are you? you can''t be with that fascist attitude...oh, maybe you are american...one of the nazi lovin'' bushbabies. You are a pitiful specimen of what years of brainwashing can do. YOU ARE THE VOICE OF HATE. Go spew YOUR trash somewhere else.

[kittykatty2]

onemoretim...how about: you can put lipstick on a pitbull...but you don''t have to vote for her...or...be a responsible pet owner...spay your pitbull.

[antoniof123]

What is going on in this country.

Voting is a right not a luxury that can be taken away.

Find the people who are trying to cause problems in the vote and shoot them.

[kittykatty2]

oh tuckerphuck...you are so full of it. I''ll bet you hang around the polling stations with fascist neocon buttons up and down your chest. you just don''t like anyone with a different view espousing their opinion. Fascist swine.

[kittykatty2]

antoniof123- well if we do what you suggest, who is going to man the polls?

[kittykatty2]

gctomajtom...yeah, you probably would think that...you strike me as someone who doesn''t use too much gray matter to do his thinking. i''m sure singinrich doesn''t need an alternate log on as there seem to be more people here who agree with him than not.

[bigjj29]

This dress code will matter. Check out PitbullPalin.com for cool designs of Pitbull Palin and Maverick McCain on shirts and other stuff. "Show your vote" on election day.

[kittykatty2]

In their lawsuit, two election officials warn 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."

can you believe this paranoid schizophrenic ***? these pollsters are pus sy repubs who are afraid that the big bad dems are going to gang up on them. Give me a break...you know what that mindset comes from? Being afraid of something you do your dam self.

During the last presidential election of Bush vs. Kerry I was informed that I would not be permitted to vote due to a T-shirt that I was wearing. The T-shirt was imprinted with a slogan that read, "Bush lied while soldiers died". I have always voted and am a Democrat, an honorably discharged, service connected disabled, US Navy veteran that takes the right to vote seriously. The official that denied my vote was voting Republican that year evidenced by the Bush-Cheney yard sign posted in her front yard that was both in my neighborhood and voting precinct. After being made to don a female''s jacket that was too small and made to button it entirely so that the slogan could not be seen, I was allowed to cast my ballot. The jacket was furnished by a different sympathetic official that thought it was an injustice to turn away a disabled US veteran. This occurred in Nashville, TN.

[jon_mccain]

The night of Nov. 4th, I''m going to throw my door open and listen to the collective whine of the the Bush voters carried across the winds as Obama is declared President elect.

[mydiatribe]

Tough dress code??? Apparently, they expect you to be dressed.

[erasmus81]

You speak of ''''common sense''''

Would you change your vote just because someone else was wearing a shirt or button as they voted? Are you that easily influenced?

Posted by TallyMan2008 at 01:23 PM : Oct 04, 2008

No, but there are a lot of other people out there that have no "common sense" and are easily influenced.

[rudy654-2009]

It seems that the neocons are intent on stealing the election. I hope they don''t succeed.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by OneAmerican6 at 03:44 PM

You''re a damm liar. ACORN is a community based organization dedicated to promoting housing for people. You are a sick damm liar and you will have your judgment.

[rudy654-2009]

There are lots of places to express your political opinions, and a polling place on election day is not one of them. Normal people realize that.




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Posted by gctomajtom at 02:53 PM

I didn''t know the constitution discriminates against people''s clothing. I guess you neocons will find away around the constitution, one way or another.

[erasmus81]

"How about adults act like adults and go cast their votes and go home?" Posted by tuckerndfw at 02:19 PM : Oct 04, 2008

Here, everybody is in and out in about 5 minutes. You don''t see anyone hanging around outside. If someone''s name isn''t on the list, then you just have to show two pieces of ID. And we don''t have those baaaad voting machines.:)

[closethippy1]

Looking at the article above and the anti-Obama and anti-Democratic comments below the US looks more and more like Iran or Israel.
Apparently some people are more American than others so they take it upon themselves to tell you how to dress if you want to vote, or to condemn and smear others because they don''t like what they''re doing in the country.
Man, I never thought I''d see the day the US would apart like this.

[markinga7]

Come on Republicans, let everyone vote. Are you afraid of a little democracy?

[heartlandjim]

Sounds like McCain and his power hungry pit bull are desperate!!

[irmcvet97]

The Right and Republican''s are wasting their time. There''s a Tidal Wave headed right at them and NOTHING they can do or say will STOP it. Look out all you Neocon''s... better find your rock... SOON!!

[irmcvet97]

You''''re a damm liar. ACORN is a community based organization dedicated to promoting housing for people. You are a sick damm liar and you will have your judgment.

Posted by rudy654 at 03:58 PM : Oct 04, 2008


Thank you very much! For WAY over 20 years now I''ve lived here and that Organization is responsible for how many people keeping their homes.. no one really knows. I''ve come to the conclusion that low life creatures from the Right will do or say ANYTHING to win... Truth doesn''t matter at all to them. THEY HAVE NO HONOR!!

[bagdadshere4]

Gloves are off now - Palin just repeated the RNC lying drool trying to connect Obama and Ayers and terrorism during a campaign speech today!!!! Now - from this moment forward the Obama/Biden campaign needs to run an ad showing the Kenya Preacher''''''''s hands on Palin''''''''s shoulders casting out the witches from her surrounding!!!! The Obama/Biden campaign needs to air that ''''''''Palin video'''''''' in their new ad 24/7 for the next 31 days!!!!!

Posted by mel130nyc at 04:37 PM : Oct 04, 2008
-------------------------------------------------

Darling you move from one forum to another but your lies and BS never change. McCain Camp must show that picture of MUSLIM OBAMA in a muslim vest in Somalia. They also must run the video where MUSLIM OBAMA says "My Muslim faith" 31 days.

[bagdadshere4]

ObamaPopStarInBerlim is addicted to lies and smaears. He lies 25 hours a day 8 days a week.

[rushlimbaug4]

If you are not wearing a flag lapel pin, you should not be allowed to vote!!@! If you can not afford a fine Chinese made pin, tough beans, you do not deserve to vote!!@!!@


God Bless America!!

[rushlimbaug4]

Rush, DITTO
If you are not wearing a lapel flag pin you should also be prohibited from running for President. I noticed that John McCain was NOT WEARING A FLAG PIN during the debate.
Perhaps non flag pin wearers should be shot.

Posted by johndevinejr at 05:39 PM : Oct 04, 2008

I am sure you were not looking close enough. There is a new micro-flag lapel pin being made in China by armies of near sighted 13 year old girls in slave camps. Break out the binoculars, he was wearing a pin!@!!@!@


May God Continue to Only Bless America!!@!

[caliguy55]

This woman has little room to speak given her long association, and the association of her husband, with members of the AIP, who openly advocate the secession of Alaska from the United States. Also, the leader of this organization stated, and I quote: "the fires of hell are glaciers compared to my hatred for the United States of America." This sounds worse than anything Rev. Wright ever said about the United States. Of course, a big difference is that, while Sen. Obama has publicly condemned Rev. Wright for his hateful contents, Sarah Palin has never so much as criticized the leader of the AIP for his expressed hatred of our country. The more one gets to know this woman and her associates, the more one realizes what a danger she presents to the security of our nation and the freedom of its citizens. Johnny McSame is desperate and will say anything over the next month in an effort to derail the inevitable election of Sen. Barack Obama to be President of the United States. WE CAN STOP HIM!!! Obama/Biden 2008!!!

[toolmangler-2009]

McCain Camp must show that picture of MUSLIM OBAMA in a muslim vest in Somalia. They also must run the video where MUSLIM OBAMA says "My Muslim faith" 31 days.
Posted by BagdadsHere4 at 04:45 PM : Oct 04, 2008



They should also show McCains arms around the shoulders of his NKVD captors then play the "Manchurian Candidate" video. After all, he was under their control for more than 6 years.

[voidmaster-2009]

First our elected employees defy us and vote as they please on the bailout. Now, others seek to diminish our right to vote.

Revolution is looking better all the time.

[toolmangler-2009]

Revolution is looking better all the time.
Posted by VoidMaster at 06:16 PM : Oct 04, 2008



The only problem is we lost the chance to successfully revolt when Shrub removed the effectiveness of Posse Comitatis and Habeas Corpus three years ago.

[barbaraf4]

"Then we will begin prosecuting the Criminal Bush Administration. I can''t wait." Posted by johndevinejr
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There will be no prosecutions of the Bush Administration. He will pardon them all before he leaves office. I am sure he is having his legal staff research how to go about pardoning himself too. No justice here.

[leroymerch]

Registered voters like me, in Oregon, can sit in their underwear at home, and fill out the ballots. We changed our state law 20 years ago to allow all Oregonians to register, get their ballots in the mail several weeks before an election, fill them out, and MAIL THEM BACK a few days before the election deadline. Washington state, copied this law a year or so ago. What are all the rest of you fools doing, going out in the rain, snow, ice, etc. to vote - wearing your best clothes? GET REAL. WAKE UP. CHANGE YOUR STATE LAWS.

[Marie Zarankevich]

McCAIN SAID IT ALL WITH THIS: "Its time to take off our Republican hats, and put on our American hats". The fact that he had to TAKE OFF ONE TO PUT ON THE OTHER says worlds about the Republican mind-set. We are all losing our rights, and our minds. It is becoming obvious that there is no depth they will not stoop to. That includes manipulating the vote in any way necessary. Higher and deeper!

[starleo146]

Boy pull out all the stops Mc Same, and his swiftboat crowd. What will this group not stop at. Scared all they have done for the last 8 years will put them under the prison for a long long time. I tell you if desperation is not in there campaign,to keep people from there right to vote, we have to change the way we vote in this country everyone has a social security number at birth and a death certificate at death. Run a comparison and see who is eligible, anything is better than denying people to vote erroneously. The last 2 elections they stole. If they do it again REVOLUTION for sure.