04-08-2009, 01:51 PM
Yesterday when I went to vote at Park Place (Belvidere Park Senior Center) there was a Hyde sign just outside of the 100 foot "no electioneering" sign. Well when I voted I could see this same sign through the window only 25 feet away and visible from the voting booth.
I brought the site manager over to look at it and I asked her if it was in violation. I said the sign was circumventing the intent of the law because it was visible to people who would be in the process of voting. Furthermore it was on Park District property. She called over a woman from the States Attorneys office to have a look see. This woman said that the law says no electioneering less than 100 feet from the door of the voting room and the Hyde sign was not in violation of the law. She said anything outside the 100 foot marker was considered a "public forum". I know what a "public forum" is in terms of the First amendment so I then asked her if I could exercise my right to free speech by placing a sign there. She siad yes, I could indeed put my own sign there. GREAT! I just happen to have a sign in the car.
Ain't the First Amendment great.
I brought the site manager over to look at it and I asked her if it was in violation. I said the sign was circumventing the intent of the law because it was visible to people who would be in the process of voting. Furthermore it was on Park District property. She called over a woman from the States Attorneys office to have a look see. This woman said that the law says no electioneering less than 100 feet from the door of the voting room and the Hyde sign was not in violation of the law. She said anything outside the 100 foot marker was considered a "public forum". I know what a "public forum" is in terms of the First amendment so I then asked her if I could exercise my right to free speech by placing a sign there. She siad yes, I could indeed put my own sign there. GREAT! I just happen to have a sign in the car.
Ain't the First Amendment great.