On May 7, the Kentucky State Board of Elections passed an emergency regulation, setting a 100 foot zone around polling places on election day. The action was motivated by the recent decision of the Sixth Circuit, striking down the statutory 300 foot limit. See this story. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
This is finally one good ruling and a followup statute. One hundred feet allows supporters of candidates to be seen by the voters and be reminded to vote for or against a candidate or a ballot issue.
Why aren’t petition signature gatherers allowed to collect sigs at the polling place within the 100 feet limit? I’ve had a table right in the polling place collecting signatures for an issue.
Petition circulation should be considered electioneering.
If a public sidewalk is less than 100 feet from the polling place, you have a right to campaign. This law reminds me of the line “no fighting in the war room!”