MC heads to polls Nov. 4

By Jane DeGeorge
Eagle Reporter
Published: October 29, 2008

Election officials are warning local residents to keep T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and other campaign materials touting candidates away from the polls Nov. 4.

Although the state law banning campaign materials within 40 feet of a polling place on Election Day has been on the books for years, state board of elections officials recently spelled out exactly what they mean by “campaign materials.”

The revisions now not only prohibit flyers and pamphlets, but any “material, object, item, advertisement, or piece of apparel” that “expressly” supports the election or defeat of a particular candidate or issue.

The move is an effort to prevent voters from influencing others to vote for a particular candidate inside the actual polling place,
according to a state board of elections news release.

State officials saw a heightened potential for problems in this election due to its expected high turnout and its uniqueness, according to Tommy Tanner, secretary of the local electoral board.

Virginia is one of a few traditionally Republican-leaning states that are closely contested this year, according to recent reports.

“The state board of elections is doing their best to make everything run as smoothly as possible,” Tanner told The Eagle.

Although the electoral board official doesn’t anticipate there will be any problems in Madison County, local polling place volunteers will be enforcing the rules just as they are elsewhere, he said.

If any voter happens to show up at a polling place wearing a campaign T-shirt, button or other material, they will not immediately be turned away, according to Tanner.

“Nobody will be turned down for voting. They will be asked to remove their clothing or cover it so it doesn’t show when they go to vote,” he said.
Some of the county’s precincts may have old coats and trash bags on hand to help in this situation, according to Tanner.

If a resident insists on wearing or bringing campaign material within 40 feet of the polling place, local law enforcement officials will be contacted, the electoral board secretary said. The area that is off-limits to “campaign materials” will be marked at each polling place, according to Tanner.
With approximately 550 newly registered voters in Madison County this year, officials anticipate that there will be some lines at the polls during “peak” hours, which include from 7-9 a.m. and from 5-7 p.m.

“There’s maybe a few small lines…usually when everybody gets off work,” Tanner said.

Those who are voting for the first time are required by federal law to provide one of the following forms of identification:

• A current and valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license.

• A current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows name and address.

• Another government document that shows name and address, such as a voter card.

Virginia voters that have participated in a previous election may provide one of the following forms of identification:

• Virginia voter identification card.

• Valid Virginia driver’s license.

• Military ID.

• Any federal-, state- or local government-issued ID.

• Employer-issued photo ID card.

• Social Security card.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day. The nine Madison County precincts and polling places are:

• Brightwood Precinct – Brightwood Ruritan Club at 4689 Lillard’s Ford Road.

• Criglersville Precinct – Todd’s Garage at 5149 N. Blue Ridge Turnpike (Route 231) in Banco.

• Etlan Precinct – Etlan Rescue Squad Building at 5395 S. F.T. Valley Road (Route 231). 

• Graves Mill Precinct – Graves Chapel at 104 Bluff Mountain Road.

• Madison Precinct – County Administration Building at 414 N. Main St.

• Oak Park Precinct – Mount Zion United Methodist Church at 2394 Mount Zion Church Road.

• Radiant Precinct – Burnt Tree Grange hall at 4709 Orange Road.

*Rochelle Precinct – Mount Nebo Lutheran Church at 3980 Jack’s Shop Road.

• Wolftown Precinct – Rapidan Baptist Church at 150 Rapidan Church Lane.

For information, call Madison County Registrar Diana Eanes at (540) 948-6533 or visit the Virginia State Board of Elections Web site at http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms.