How can people campaign so close to Missouri voting locations? See what state law allows
As Missouri votes in the 2024 election, more people have gathered at poll sites to hand out information about the ballot items.
It’s not the same as poll watchers, who are allowed inside voting locations around Missouri to make sure voting is running without any issues, like calling in if a machine stops working or checking on the lines.
The act, known as electioneering, is a process by which political groups convince voters to vote for or against candidates, parties or ballot issues in an election, according to Cornell University’s law school. Electioneering includes displaying posters or signs, distributing materials or soliciting votes for or against a ballot item.
Are people allowed to hand out items with information about a ballot item outside of a polling location? Can they be inside the building? Is this considered election interference?
Here’s what Missouri law says.
Can people solicit outside Missouri polling locations?
It’s not illegal for people in Missouri to solicit voters with signs or handouts with election information outside of polls, but they have to be a specific distance away from the entrance.
The act of electioneering is illegal within 25 feet of the building’s entrance, according to a Missouri statute. Electioneering applies to any vote or election, prohibiting people from bringing anything related to an item on the ballot such as yard signs or buttons. The law also applies to people wearing shirts or hats with logos featuring a ballot item.
Election workers will ask people to turn their gear inside out, take it off or leave the area if they are wearing anything related to what appears on the ballot. Poll workers are also not allowed to wear anything related to an item on the ballot.
Electioneering inside polling places is a class four election offense and is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $2,500 or a combination of both, according to the state statute.
At 25 feet away from the entrance, Missouri has one of the shortest distances in the United States where people can stand outside of a voting location and hand out posters containing ballot items. Take a look at how far people can stand outside buildings in other states:
Pennsylvania: 10 feet
Illinois: 100 feet
Nebraska: 200 feet
- Kansas: 250 feet
- Oklahoma: 300 feet
- Iowa: 300 feet
This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 3:36 PM.
