From staff reports With the Sept. 9 election approaching, the Comanche County Election Board is reminding voters of election day-related laws.
Here is a roundup of the laws governing election days:
• Inside the election enclosure: State law bars anyone other than voters and election officials from remaining within 30 feet of a ballot box while an election is taking place, according to the election board. Additionally, people other than voters and election officials are not allowed inside an election enclosure where voters are checked in, issued ballots and vote. The law is not intended to include minor children who accompany voters to their polling place.
A news reporter or photographer who is covering the election may be allowed inside the enclosure for no more than five minutes. The reporter or photographer shall not interfere with voters or election officials, observe an individual voter marking their ballot or photograph voters marking ballots.
• Illegal voting: It is illegal to vote more than once in any election, vote in a precinct after transferring your voter registration to a new precinct or vote knowing you are ineligible, according to the election board. It is also unlawful to vote and submit an absentee ballot that was issued to another person.
• Electioneering: Advocating for or against a candidate or an issue on the ballot is not allowed within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is being conducted.
Electioneering can be verbal, or it can include displaying items such as T-shirts, buttons and hats, according to the election board. The election board recommends leaving clothing or accessories at home if voters are unsure if those items would constitute electioneering.
• Printed materials: No printed materials, other than those materials provided by the election board, shall be publicly placed or exposed within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress.
Voters may, however, bring personal notes to assist them with their election choices while they are marking their ballot. Personal notes must remain concealed at all other times inside the election enclosure.
• Photographs and vote disclosure: A voter may take a digital image or photograph of their marked ballot while inside the election enclosure, according to the election board. However, it is illegal for voters to post the image or photo on social media or otherwise disclose how they voted until they have left the enclosure.
• Election interference: Interfering with the orderly and lawful conduct of an election is a misdemeanor.
No one, including lawfully appointed watchers or exit pollsters, may interfere with a registered voter who is attempting to vote or try to influence the voter through force or intimidation. This includes activity before and during an election.
• Pollsters: An exit pollster is someone who receives an official commission from the election board secretary to conduct polls or interviews of voters leaving the polling place. Pollsters are not permitted within 50 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress, and they shall be limited to written polling materials.
Anyone conducting an exit poll within 300 feet of a ballot box shall display identification provided by the election board secretary. Voters are not required to participate in exit polls.
• Intoxication: It is illegal to take intoxicating liquor of any kind or quantity to within one-half mile of any polling place on Election Day. Additionally, no one shall attend an election or be within 300 feet of a polling place if they are intoxicated the day of the election.
Anyone who believe someone is committing an election- related crime should contact the county election board or local law enforcement while the act is in progress or as soon as possible. They should be prepared to provide as much information and documentation as possible.