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Board may decide that logos on apparel are Election Day no-nos
Dayton Right to Life planned to put its name on workers, bringing about the debate of fairness with all decals.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The Montgomery County Board of Elections may ban poll workers from wearing clothing with any names or logos after members heard of Dayton Right to Life's plan to put its name on poll workers' shirts.
The plan, approved by a top board official, caught board members by surprise.
Extras
"If anybody said we're putting 'right to life' on shirts at the polls I'd have said 'hold it,'?" said Sue Finley, a Republican and senior member of the board.
She and board members Jim Nathanson, also a Republican, and Democrats Tom Ritchie and Dennis Lieberman, said the only fair solution might be banning all names.
Possible backlash
They hope it won't discourage companies and organizations from helping the county find the 2,200 poll workers needed to staff 548 precincts on Election Day.
"If it means we submarine the entire program or we submarine the shirts, then so be it," Ritchie said. "They should talk to the folks that tried to take advantage of the situation."
On July 31 the board will discuss the issue, including whether poll workers can wear union shirts, as several did during the May primaries. Although Right to Life sent people to work at the polls in May, none wore the group's shirts because they were not ready, said Christi Dodson, executive director.
The 'new issue'
Political signs, literature and language are prohibited within 100 feet of the polls on Election Day and poll workers are told to not discuss candidates or issues. But the question of clothing with company or organization logos is so new, not even the Ohio secretary of state has considered the issue.
Without a directive from the secretary, the decision on clothing is up to local boards said Patrick Gallaway, spokesman for Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.
The issue of politically loaded logos also hasn't come up at the Franklin County Board of Elections, which has been the most aggressive board in the state in reaching out to organizations to get new poll workers.
Matthew Damschroder, board director, does not think an organization's name on a shirt constitutes political speech, however "if there is a fetus that says 'save this child', then that's probably a political message."
Polls are a 'blank slate'
But Ohio Citizen Action's Catherine Turcer said no board should permit clothing that suggests any political leaning.
"The one place that truly should be a blank slate is the place that you vote," said Turcer, the group's legislative director.
Directors of area boards of election said the abortion issue is so controversial they doubt their boards would permit poll workers to wear shirts bearing the term "right to life."
"That's such a volatile issue, I would probably try to discourage that," said Steve Quillen, director of the Miami County Board of Elections.
Llyn McCoy, Greene County board deputy director, and Michael Moore, Warren County board director, made similar remarks. In fact, said McCoy, even company names could be a problem, such as a bar's name appearing on a poll worker's shirt in a precinct with liquor issues on the ballot.
"At the end of the day the T-shirt wearing is probably not going to be our best idea," McCoy said.
'We are not there to convert somebody'
Dayton Right to Life, which has a mailing list and supporters numbering about 22,000, has as much right as any to have poll workers wear shirts with the group's name, Dodson said.
By law the nonprofit does not directly endorse or contribute to candidates, but is forming a political action committee that could do so, she said.
If voters seeing the shirts were to ask questions, Dodson said "obviously we will be there to answer questions about life issues, but I think we have to be very careful that we are helping at the polls that day. We are not there to convert somebody."
That remark was greeted with shock by county board officials, who said poll workers are never to discuss any political issue, even if no voters are in the room.
"Not in this lifetime on this board," Lieberman said.
Comments
By Joy
July 25, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
So, union T-shirts are NOT politcal? The duplicity never ends…
By tlc
July 21, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
The polls should be a place of neutrality. No organization buttons, T Shirts with logos or any other affiliation other than poll worker, Judge, etc. should be permitted. If the workers want to change clothes on their way out-after passing the 100 foot mark - they are welcome to do so. Just as poll workers are vested with a responsibility they are cloaked with an obligation to enforce the strict no-campaigning rule at the polls. Our democracy demands no less.
By Mary
July 21, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
I am Pro-Life, and agree with LW. Let’s wear our Pro-Life t-shirts to the polls when we vote. Wearing them while working the polls would only contribute animosity towards the Pro-Life movement.
By jmark
July 21, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
In response to the “Right to Liar” comment about the Right to Life only being interested in children before their born. I want to challenge Judy to actually visit the local Right to Life and see for her own eyes what they do for children and their mothers AFTER they’re born. I am pretty sure Christi Dodson would be happy to give a tour to you.
By LW
July 21, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this
Mr. Lieberman is quoted in this article as stating. “Not in this lifetime on this board.” It’s interesting that the term “lifetime” is used in reference to the issue of the lifetime of the unborn child stopped prematurely by abortion.
By LW
July 21, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this
Interesting the first newsworthy discussion of this topic is in response to what seems to be a conservative, republican oriented organiztion. In the spirit of bipartisanship, I hope the BOE bans poll workers from wearing T-shirts that display any political or organizational message. Solution: Pro-Lifers exercise our right to free speech & expression by wearing OUR Right to Life t-shirt to the polls. Thousands of voters standing in line supporting Pro-Life t-shirts speaks volumes.
By LW
July 21, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Interesting the first newsworthy discussion of this topic is in response to what seems to be a conservative, republican oriented organiztion. In the spirit of bipartisanship, I hope the BOE bans poll workers from wearing T-shirts that display any political or organizational message. Solution: Pro-Lifers exercise our right to free speech & expression by wearing OUR Right to Life t-shirt to the polls. Thousands of voters standing in line supporting Pro-Life t-shirts speaks volumes.
By Judy
July 21, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Right to Liar is comprised of a bunch of hypocrites who only care about the kids before they’re born.
By jmark
July 21, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
THE COMMENT ABOUT BEING NON-PARTISAN: That statement is WAY UNTRUE! After working as a trouble shooter at the polls this past May election. I can tell you the polls are made up of 2 republicans and 2 democrats. The 5th person is of the party who is most represented in that precinct. The organizations are placed where they affiliate themselves and where poll workers are needed.
By jmark
July 21, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Also, MS HULSEY: Maybe you should be reporting on why the Board of Elections has to reach out to groups like Planned Parenthood and the Dayton Right to Life to be poll workers instead of slamming these groups. They are just taking the opportunity to raise money for their organizations. The retired folk who are die-hard poll workers are dying so the BofE has to recruit from these organizations. Please do the public a favor and tell the whole story for once.
By jmark
July 21, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
MS. HULSEY: I do recall that the Board of Elections had as well asked Planned Parenthood to as well serve as poll workers. They would also be allowed to wear shirts with their logos on them as well. Why was this not included into this story? This is a “hit piece” on a local organization that you may disagree with but you should still adhere to ethical journalism and tell the whole story, not just what’s on your agenda! I am appalled by your ethics.
By Robert Lowry
July 21, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
No political or moral points of view should be allowed in any way shape or form.
By Robert Lowry
July 21, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
No political points of view should be premitted in any way shape or form!
By Robert Lowry
July 21, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
No political points of view should be premitted in any way shape or form!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By jay
July 21, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
I’m baffled by the comments above saying that Right to Life is lying when they say they have no political agenda. When did RTL say they have no political agenda? It is the Board of Elections who was quoted saying they had no political agenda in allowing poll-workers to wear shirts identifying their organization. As they are saying that ANY group providing poll workers would be allowed to identify themselves, it is not clear how they are showing any bias.
By Cena Buchannon
July 21, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
I don’t know who Christi Dodson thinks she’s kidding. Her organization never does anything that isn’t calculated to draw attention and convert people to their viewpoint. I’m a pollworker and pro-choice. If Dayton Right to Life T-shirts are okay, then my ProChoice Ohio T-shirt should be okay, too. If it’s not, they’ll have to find another worker.
By Mike
July 21, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Seems like a no brainer. It the board of elcetions screws this one up, we’ll know they’re not nonpartisian.
By Dorothy Mandell
July 21, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
I agree with the reader who wrote there should be no campaigning inside the polls, no matter who you are. If you have a point of view, pro choice or anti, you are free to express that point of view, BUT NOT in a polling place on a T-shirt. Common sense should prevail here!
By Rita Heider
July 21, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
I am prolife to the enth degree but in my opinion I believe these t-shirts would cause more controversy than good. Let’s accomplish our goals in a civil manner.
By Dave
July 21, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Sure, just as long as I can wear my MFSO shirt saying “Bring the Troops Home, Now!”. Actually, it’s hard enough to sit with 2 morons…er, republicans as it is. I’m sure there would be fireworks between the anti-abortion and anti-war folks.
By Helen E. Davis
July 21, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
The only t-shirt Logo allowed at the Polls should be one saying “State Board of Elections” or “* County Board of Elections.” As a Presiding Judge of several years, I think such a uniform T-shirt would help to identify us to the voters. Any other Logo runs the risk of raising the ire of somebody — and the last thing we need while trying to do our job is have somebody yell at us because they don’t agree with our t-shirt!
By Joy Schwab
July 21, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
No. Right to Life obviously has a politcal agenda. It’s a ridiculous lie for them or for Betty Smith at the Board of Elections to claim otherwise. The law prohibiting political signs, literature and language within 100 feet of the polls is to protectr the voters right to cast their vote without harassment. Now they want to impose their views on voters within the polling place, just like they impose their views on women entering clinics. Maybe I should wear my Prochoice Ohio shirt.
By Joy Schwab
July 21, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
No. Right to Life obviously has a politcal agenda. It’s a ridiculous lie for them or for Betty Smith at the Board of Elections to claim otherwise. The law prohibiting political signs, literature and language within 100 feet of the polls is to protectr the voters right to cast their vote without harassment. Now they want to impose their views on voters within the polling place, just like they impose their views on women entering clinics. Maybe I should wear my Prochoice Ohio shirt.
By Robert
July 21, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
There is a huge difference between a political sign on a public street and the person handing you your ballot wearing a shirt telling you who to vote for. Campaign literature is already banned from inside polling places. Why should there be an exception for clothing? There should be no campaigning inside the polls, no matter who you are.
By Frank
July 21, 2007 5:50 AM | Link to this
What is happening to our FREEDOM; Nect thing they will try and tell us when we can go to the bathroom; I believe that if they ban the T-Shirts; they should BAN all political signs that clutter up the highways during the elections. To me this is littering; They should all be fined for littering up the highways with all their crappy signs. They should just allow the signs at the polling places,
By Tim in Stuttgart
July 21, 2007 5:23 AM | Link to this
Yes. The name should be ___County Board of Elections. Anything else flies in the face of “non-partisan” elections workers. Any company could have an interest in an issue on the ballot. Many seemingly non-partisan companies back candidates and parties, and you can be sure that someone will discover and exploit that fact.