Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Year of the Shirts: What is an electioneering law?


We’ve seen so many people wearing election shirts. It’s not just “Vote For Obama,” or “Vote for McCain,” it’s become a fashion trend. Many of the urban stores like Jimmy Jazz or Dr. Jay’s are selling these shirts and are even sold out!

In the past couple of days, however, there have been mass text messages and emails being sent out advising our friends and colleagues not to wear the shirts to the polls. The Board of Elections has indicated that a person can be turned away from the polls and asked to return after they change their shirt. It’s part of the electioneering laws. The growing concern is, how many people will actually go home, change their shirt, and return to the polls? Which is why we need to continue spreading the word.

A Huffington Post article addresses this in depth and gives some history on the law. This wasn’t such an issue in the past, but now we find ourselves in an era where politics is actually a hot topic and even a fashion statement.

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