You can't vote wearing political clothing
Other do's and don't at New Jersey polls
By: Kristie Catafi
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Going ti the World Series? don't forget to wear a Yankees hat.
.....
Going to see Taylor Swift? Feel free to dress as your favorite era.
..... However, when you go to vote on November 5, [2024] leave your campaign or candidate's hats and T-shirts at home.
..... In this presidential race, unlike in 2020, when the world was in the grips a pandemic, more voters are expected to cast tier ballots in person, rather than via mail. As such, knowing the laws and avoiding misconceptions can help avoid conflicts with poll workers.
..... Voters who are unclear on legal do's and font's at the polls are a contributing factor to arguments that erupt into threats against poll workers, officials said.
..... The results of a study by the Brennan Center for Justice, a non[artisan law and policy institute, show that 38% of local election officials reported experiencing threats, harassment or abuse by voters at the polls.
..... The contentious presidential election, an increase in conspiracy theories and more district of government have left tension high, said Fanny Lauby, an association professor of political science at Montclair State University.
..... "Poll workers are the immediate face of the election, and they are feeling the brunt of it," Lauby said.
..... "It's unfortunate, because most of them are taking their own time to do something for their community. due to the environment and rumors, a lot of people don't want to be poll workers anymore."
..... Last month [09/2024] Representative Josh Gottheimer, who is up for reelection in the 5th District, introduced two pieces of legislation to protect poll workers from increased threats of violence, harassment and intimidation.
..... Bergen County Clerk John Hogan said he supports the bills. "It's a long day for poll workers, and we have to stand behind them or the system doesn't work," Hogan said.
What not to wear to vote
..... Wearing any campaign memorabilia or insignia within 100 feet of a polling place is illegal in New Jersey.
..... The law, Lauby said, was created to ensure a neutral environment and process for voting.
..... "It's more to preserve the appearance of neutrality and the process in areas running the election," Lauby said.
..... "People do campaign outside of polling places, but everything has to be neutrial inside a voting location."
..... If you do enter the polling location wearing clothing, signs or buttons in support of a candidate, a poll worker will ask you to remove them.
..... Wes Wagner, a Bergen County electionspecilist who has trained thousands of poll workers for this election, said these are some of the scenarios he goes over in training.
..... One strategy that will be implemented this year [2024] is that a poll worker with the same party affiliation as the person in question will talk with them.
.....
"We're going to have them go up to them and have the conversation to remove the times and hope that doesn't create a confrontation," Wagner said.
..... Under another recent law signed by Governor Phil Murphy, police officers are not allowed to be within 100 feet of a polling location. However, if there is an issue and a poll worker calls the police, they can enter, Wagner said.
..... There's a history in the Unites States of suing law enforcement to intimidate voters, from 100 years ago to the segregated south to 2020 with the Black Lives Matter movement, Lauby said.
..... "Even though the intention of law enforcement presence is to make sure someone isn't intimidating poll workers, and poll workers might welcome the presence, for some voters it might have a chilling effect," Lauby said.
..... "It's a difficult balance to have poll workers feel comfortable and have support while not turning off voters of color who have lower turnout rates."
Election Day photo do's and don'ts
..... The law in New Jersey does not allow voters to take "selfies," or photos of themselves, that also sho9w their ballots in the voting booth or polling pace.
..... Voters are allowed to take selfies as long as the completed ballot is not in the photo.
..... This will be the first presidential election for many young voters, but showing everyone who your chose was is illegal.
..... "The action of voting is a private activity, and right now with selfie culture, people have to be reminded about that," Lauby said.
..... "We want people to be excited about voting, but now people think if they didn't take a selfie they didn't really do it."