No electioneering near polling places

Under state law, polling places in Illinois are campaign-free zones. I wish the media would do a better job reporting on this fact to help inform the public of the shared responsibility of poll workers and voters to meet this goal.

I’ve worked as an election judge in Cook County for several years. Part of the mandatory training for election judges describes our responsibility to ensure that this duty is understood and managed responsibly on Election Day.

From the official training materials issued to all election judges: “The Campaign-free Zone provides an intimidation-free election environment for voters in and approaching the Polling Place. Intimidation is a felony under Illinois Law. Electioneering is strictly prohibited within 100 feet from the door to the room in which voting is conducted. Electioneering includes wearing buttons, badges, T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, or any type of clothing in specific colors or with slogans, pictures, etc., asking voters to vote in a particular way; or leafleting.”

It would help if more voters realized that there is an expectation for voters to do their part to make this happen, for their own benefit and that of their fellow voters. As judges, we expect voters to be aware of this requirement and it is our responsibility to correct voters who may violate it, knowingly or otherwise.

Please, absolutely, vote. It’s your right as a citizen. But when you do so, please leave the hats, shirts, buttons, etc. at home. If you do bring prohibited items with you, please don’t be offended if we ask you to take off your hat or turn your shirt inside-out before voting. It’s our job to do so. Thank you.

Frank Ress

Arlington Heights