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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 20 February 2018

American Living:
What to wear at polls? High court will have a say on that

By JESSICA GRESKO Some states allow voters to while wearing tea party
WASHINGTON (AP) — A wear whatever they want. apparel or buttons that
"Make America Great Others bar campaign said, “Please I.D. Me.” The
Again" hat. A tea party T- clothing directly related buttons referred to legisla-
shirt. A MoveOn.org button. to candidates or issues on tion then under discussion
Wear any one of those the ballot. Minnesota has in the state and ultimately
items to vote in Minnesota, a broad law that also bans defeated that would have
and a poll worker will prob- "political" attire, includ- required residents to show
ably ask you to remove it or ing clothing promoting a photo identification to
cover it up. group with understood po- vote. Two voters who de-
Like a number of states, litical views, such as the tea fied elections officials —
Minnesota bars voters from party or MoveOn.org. one who wore a “Please
wearing political items to The sides in the Supreme I.D. Me” button and an-
the polls to reduce the po- Court case disagree about other who wore both a
tential for confrontations which states have laws simi- Andy Cilek poses with a Tea Party shirt at his home in Eden button and tea party T-shirt
or voter intimidation. But lar to Minnesota's, but each Prairie, Minn. Cilek was one of two voters who defied elections — were asked to cover up
that could change. The Su- side's number is roughly 10. officials after he was asked to cover up a tea-party shirt and or remove the items. He’s
preme Court on Feb. 28 will Elections officials in states button. A Minnesota law that bars voters from wearing political passionate about his poli-
consider a challenge to the with restrictions say it's not a hats, T-shirts, buttons and other apparel to the polls is about to tics, he said, but if given
get a look from the Supreme Court.
state's law, in a case that big issue. Most people who (AP Photo/Jim Mone) the opportunity to lawfully
could affect other states, wear prohibited items to wear political clothing to
too. Wen Fa, a lawyer with the polls just aren't aware The case now before the after Minnesota officials the polls, “I probably would
the Pacific Legal Founda- of the law or forget, offi- justices began in 2010 made clear they wouldn’t just wear regular street
tion, the group behind the cials say, and comply with when several groups sued permit residents to vote clothes,” he said.q
challenge to Minnesota's requests to cover up.
law, says voters wearing Will Senning, Vermont's
political apparel shouldn't elections director since
have to hang up their hats, 2013, said he can't remem-
turn their T-shirts inside out ber any Election Day calls
or put their buttons in their about people refusing to
bags just to cast a ballot. comply with his state's law.
Wearing political clothing Elaine Manlove, who has
is "a passive way to ex- headed elections in Dela-
press core political values," ware since 2007, couldn't
said Fa, who said the case think of a single prosecution
is "about the free speech under her state's statute nor
rights of all Americans." could Mark Goins, who has
Minnesota sees it different- overseen Tennessee elec-
ly. In court papers, it says tions since 2009.
the law is a "reasonable But Goins said he'd be con-
restriction" that preserves cerned about allowing
"order and decorum in the clothing supporting candi-
polling place" and pre- dates or political parties at
vents "voter confusion and polling places.
intimidation." "I think what's "I think you run the risk of
important to understand is having political disputes
the purpose of this prohibi- inside the polling location
tion is to protect the funda- and sometimes these dis-
mental right to vote," said putes can get pretty loud,"
Daniel Rogan, who is argu- Goins said.
ing the case for the state The Supreme Court last
and said he doesn't know considered the issue of free
of anyone being issued a speech at polling places
fine of up to $300 allowed in 1992 when the court
under the law. Lower courts upheld a Tennessee law
have sided with the state. prohibiting the display or
Beyond Minnesota, state distribution of campaign
laws vary in their fashion materials within 100 feet of
policing of the polls. a polling place.