If you vote early at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse, there will be a sign that says “Political Free Zone.” But that doesn’t mean you can’t wear something that supports the Iowa candidates. Pottawattamie County Auditor Melvin Houser, who also oversees elections for the county, said, “As long as you’re just hanging out at the polling place or on the sidewalk or chatting with people in line, it’s fine.” He says he doesn’t see many people wearing political attire, even though it’s allowed. However, political discussions are prohibited. In Nebraska, the situation is much different. “Bring your smile, but leave all your (political) T-shirts, hats, buttons, pins, etc. at home,” said Douglas County Elections Commissioner Brian Kruse. “This just makes life a little bit easier. And in fact, this is the law,” he added, “We are now affected by electronic devices basically 24 hours a day.” That should be a good thing when it comes to polling places. Neither state allows campaigning or political signs to be placed near polling places, including on private property. Nebraska doesn’t allow 200 feet from polling places. In Iowa, the limit is 300 feet. Kruse said Nebraska’s clothing and signage restrictions include political parties and candidates. He said because the state outlines are associated with this year’s party, they cannot be worn or placed on signs near polling places, and there is also an issue if they appear on the ballot. This year, for example, when messages about abortion were made available to voters during the primary election, Skutto Catholic said they included abortion and medical marijuana. It didn’t violate election laws. That’s because abortion wasn’t on the ballot. Read more: Anti-abortion chalk art at Omaha Skutt High School doesn’t violate election laws, Douglas County election officials say. It would be a violation if it were in the election this November. said.
Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa —
If you vote early at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse, there will be a sign that says “Political Free Zone.”
But that doesn’t mean you can’t get support from candidates in Iowa.
Pottawattamie County Auditor Melvin Houser, who also oversees elections for the county, said, “As long as you’re just hanging out at the polling place or on the sidewalk or chatting with people in line, it’s fine.”
He says he doesn’t see many people wearing political attire, even though it’s allowed. However, political discussions are prohibited.
In Nebraska, the situation is much different.
“Bring your smile, but please leave all your (political) T-shirts, hats, buttons, pins, etc. at home,” Douglas County Elections Commissioner Brian Kruse said. “It just makes life a little bit easier. And it’s actually the law.”
He added: “We are now basically bombarded with electronic devices 24 hours a day…When you come to the polls, it should be a polite and nice place.”
Neither state allows campaigning or political signs near polling places, but they do prohibit them on private property. In Nebraska, the restriction is within 200 feet of a polling place. In Iowa it’s 300 feet.
Kruse said Nebraska’s clothing and signage restrictions also include political parties and candidates. Because the blue dots and red outline of Nebraska are reminiscent of this year’s party, they can’t be worn or displayed on signs near polling places, he said.
Kruse said that includes issues if they appear on the ballot. This year, for example, that includes abortion and medical marijuana.
For example, Skutto Catholic did not violate Nebraska election law when it made messages about abortion available to voters during the primary election earlier this year. That’s because abortion wasn’t on the ballot.
Read more: Anti-abortion chalk art at Omaha Skutt High School is not a violation of election law, Douglas County elections director says
If that were done in this November’s election, it would be a violation because of the abortion voting provisions listed on the ballot. Mr Kruse said he was confident such messages would not be heard at Skut polling stations in the general election.
