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View Full Version : FYI: Electioneering = T-shirts at the polls

AKSheridan
10-18-2008, 02:03 PM
When voting, you may be asked to remove political t-shirts or buttons!!

I went to vote today (this is in Illinois) with FIL. He was wearing an Obama t-shirt. They actually made him remove it and turn it inside out!! :eek:mad

So I looked up the law today, and Illinois law states "No electioneering" which is understandable. Well the definition of electioneering is "To work actively for a candidate or political party." How is wearing a t-shirt actively working?

Some states have "passive electioneering" laws, which would include t-shirts, buttons, etc. Still, Illinois does not, but apprarently it varies and I've read that in Illinois it's sort of a gray area and Illinois Election Code Section 7.29 basically states that it is the "sole discretion of the election officers" to ask one to remove his/her candidate’s t-shirt, hat or button if they deem it to be offensive.

Pretty lame that they can so easily infringe upon our freedom of speech! :mad
4noisyboys
10-18-2008, 02:14 PM
I've always understood it to mean not to wear buttons, shirts, or anything of the sort within so many feet of the polling place. I'm ok with that.
txmusicmom
10-18-2008, 02:42 PM
When voting, you may be asked to remove political t-shirts or buttons!!

:blush :blush :blush

that COULD be embarrassing :lol
HappyMc
10-18-2008, 02:45 PM
I've always understood it to mean not to wear buttons, shirts, or anything of the sort within so many feet of the polling place. I'm ok with that.

Yep, that's how I understand it too. I don't have a problem with it either.
Scorpiosue1102
10-18-2008, 03:44 PM
Interesting. I'll make sure to not wear my Obama shirt that day.
txmusicmom
10-18-2008, 03:46 PM
Interesting. I'll make sure to not wear my Obama shirt that day.

Yes- you wouldn't want to be shirtless.........:blush
vegaschristina
10-18-2008, 04:24 PM
Interesting. I'll make sure to not wear my Obama shirt that day.

That or take a jacket so you can cover it up.
cassie-in-texas
10-18-2008, 07:01 PM
Yes- you wouldn't want to be shirtless.........:blush

Don't know, if more women went to the polls shirtless, I'll bet voter turnout would improve, at least among the men! :lol
Babette
10-18-2008, 07:06 PM
Don't know, if more women went to the polls shirtless, I'll bet voter turnout would improve, at least among the men! :lol


LOL LOL LOL ...... omg! I was drinking when I read this!!! However, I got $10 that says you're right!!! lol
Miss Chris
10-18-2008, 07:22 PM
Don't know, if more women went to the polls shirtless, I'll bet voter turnout would improve, at least among the men! :lol

LOL, so my first (joking)thought after you posted this was that we should have the ladies that work the polls go topless to improve turnout. But then I pictured the ladies that work the polls around here and thought that it might have quite the opposite reaction. No offense to the sweet, blue haired set intended!
cassie-in-texas
10-18-2008, 07:31 PM
LOL, so my first (joking)thought after you posted this was that we should have the ladies that work the polls go topless to improve turnout. But then I pictured the ladies that work the polls around here and thought that it might have quite the opposite reaction. No offense to the sweet, blue haired set intended!

The same ladies work the polls here! Just as well, I don't think I want the men voting while they're looking somewhere other than the ballot anyway!:D
Gina.Maria
10-19-2008, 12:43 AM
If you think they're not already imagining Palin shirtless? :giggle
cassie-in-texas
10-19-2008, 07:05 PM
oh, my, did we get waaaay off-topic. My bad!