Should we plan to take our cameras to the polls?

[Chainfire]

Official "poll watchers" in my state have to be trained and certified. I worry about unofficial poll watchers hanging about the parking lot trying to intimidate voters. My rural county, in Florida, is majority black with whites making up only 36% of the population. That 36% is overwhelmingly right-wing and very vocal. I can see potential problems since the President has suggested that his people turn out to "watch." Maybe we need folks to watch the watchers.

[Laelth]

1. That's illegal in Texas.

The rules may vary in other jurisdictions. Make sure you understand your own jurisdiction’s rules first.

-Laelth

[dameatball]

2. Seems like a good idea. Check with your supervisor of elections office to see what rules are.

I assume cameras are okay to have. Probably a good idea to be familiar with the general rules of conduct as well.
I ended up voting by mail and dropped my ballot off last week. If voting in person, yeah, I would probably have a camera. I'm sure most people have one on their cell phones anyway.
In Florida, check with your county supervisor of elections office.

[Amishman]

3. I'm taking a picture of mine before submitting it

don't care if its legal or not, I'm doing it

[SheltieLover]

4. Have your phone charged up!

So at least you can call to report issues.

Not sure whether camera would be legal.

[GeorgeGist]

8. My phone has a camera.

[SheltieLover]

9. Yup!

Less conspicuois. 👍

[sl8]

5. [FL]"No photography is permitted in the polling room or early voting area, except an elector ..."

Last edited Wed Oct 7, 2020, 12:00 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0102/Sections/0102.031.html


(5)?No photography is permitted in the polling room or early voting area, except an elector may photograph his or her own ballot.

[Maeve]

6. Not inside the polling area, please

Outside, yes. Put it away inside the actual polling place; that could be misconstrued (or illegal)

[MineralMan]

7. In most states, it is illegal to photograph or video inside a polling place.

So, don't use your camera there. Outside, you can freely take photos or videos.

[MagickMuffin]

10. Outside is fine, however, make sure you know the laws

In Texas you have to be at least 100' away from the entrance to the polling site.

[LeftInTX]

11. I think Trump's "poll watchers" are actually "poll greeters"

Poll greeters are outside the polls. They are the ones that distribute literature and yell, "Vote for......". Take your camera. There have been instances of voter intimidation by pool greeters.

Turn off you camera where it says you need to turn it off.

I seriously doubt that Trump is going to recruit "poll watchers". He's just looking for campaign volunteers to hang around parking lots.

I expect MAGA rallies and Trump flags in the parking lot....ugh....(We didn't have this problem in 2016...I never saw a Trump flag or Trump sign in 2016...now they're everywhere...ugh)

[zackymilly]

12. It's illegal in NC to take a "ballot selfie".

Don't take a 'ballot selfie' in NC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If you are standing in line about to cast your ballot, it is tempting to want to take a selfie. In North Carolina, don't do it.
North Carolina is one of 26 states that bans photography at polling places. It also prohibits people from taking pictures of their ballots.

"That's illegal. That's a violation of the law," says Director of Elections for Mecklenburg County Michael Dickerson.

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/elections/dont-take-a-ballot-selfie-in-nc/275-341757312

[Chainfire]

13. I was talking about parking lot....check the OP

I don't need anybody's permission to take photographs in the parking lot of the public library (my polling place) I would have no desire to photograph anyone that was behaving, but I could. I can not solicit votes or do any other politicking any closer than 150' from the door to the polling station by sate law. Perhaps, I will park over 150' from the door, bring my Kindle and spend some quality time in my car.
The President has sent out an invitation for his nuts to interfere at the polls, does anyone doubt that some of them will follow his suggestion? After all, some of his followers drank freaking bleach at his suggestion!

Florida Statute:

No person, political committee, or other group or organization may solicit voters inside the polling place or within 150 feet
of the entrance to any polling place, or polling room where the polling place is also a polling room, an early voting site, or an
office of the supervisor where vote-by-mail ballots are requested and printed on demand for the convenience of electors
who appear in person to request them. For the purpose of this subsection, the terms “solicit” or “solicitation” shall include,
but not be limited to, seeking or attempting to seek any vote, fact, opinion, or contribution; distributing or attempting to
distribute any political or campaign material, leaflet, or handout; conducting a poll except as specified in this paragraph;
seeking or attempting to seek a signature on any petition; and selling or attempting to sell any item. The terms “solicit” or
solicitation” may not be construed to prohibit exit polling. (Fla. Stat. § 102.031(4)(a); (b)).

Now my other question is, can I solicit prostitution within 150'? Perhaps and attorney will chime in.