SLED investigating dispute over a voter’s ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ hat
Voters can’t wear campaign garb into polling places. It’s a law, not a courtesy, that sparked a scuffle at an Orangeburg County early voting site that’s under investigation by state law enforcement.
But the phrase on the hat that started the dispute could be legal following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
State law doesn’t allow campaign materials within 500 feet of the entrance to a polling location. That rule isn’t limited to candidates. It also means voters can’t broadcast their support of anyone on the ballot by distributing or wearing hats, shirts, buttons, pins, posters and flyers.
The State Election Commission has posters at every polling place to remind voters of those rules.
In Orangeburg County on Wednesday, a voter didn’t want to remove his hat, which said, “Let’s Go Brandon,” according to WIS-TV. (It’s a phrase that took off last October among fans of former President Donald Trump as a substitute for using profanity about Biden.)
An argument escalated between the voter and poll workers. After cursing and being told he couldn’t vote, the voter threw his hat toward the bystander in line who was videotaping the dispute. He turned to confront a poll worker who told him to leave. She appears to slap him, and people stepped in to hold him back, according to the video circulating on social media.
A spokeswoman for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed Thursday that it is investigating the scuffle. It could be the first SLED investigation of conflict at the polls for this general election. Spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich did not know of any others.
As per state law, poll managers “shall use every reasonable means” to keep polling places “clear of political literature and displays” within 500 feet of the entrance. At poll managers’ request, law enforcement officers will remove anything “distributed or displayed” in violation of the law.
According to a state Election Commission spokesman, voters who show up to a polling place wearing campaign gear will be asked to remove it or cover it up so it’s not visible to other voters.
Poll workers had been trained to not allow “Let’s Go Brandon” clothing as electioneering, Howard Knapp, director of the state Election Commission, told The Post and Courier. However, since Biden is no longer on the ballot, he believes the phrase no longer violates the law, he told the newspaper.
There are other legal no-no’s at the polls.
State law also bans people from carrying a handgun at a polling place. Having a concealed weapon permit doesn’t exempt voters from that law.
Voters also can’t show their ballots to anyone. That includes taking a photo of it, so selfies at the ballot box are not allowed.
Early voting continues statewide through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. By the close of polls Wednesday, 1.1 million South Carolinians had voted early in person.
On Election Day, all precincts open at 7 a.m. The cutoff for anyone to join a line is 7 p.m. Anyone in line at that point can stay in line as long as it takes to vote.
SLED:
REMINDER: PLEASE DON’T TAKE BALLOT SELFIES
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) would like to remind South Carolina voters that it is unlawful to take a photo of your ballot and share that photo or allow your ballot to be seen.
SLED is encouraging South Carolina voters to not take what is commonly known as a “ballot selfie.”
Pictures of the ballot itself are strictly prohibited in South Carolina.
South Carolina voters are not allowed to use a camera inside the voting booth.
For more information on the South Carolina law specifically prohibiting taking a photo of a ballot, please see below:
SECTION 7-25-100. Allowing ballot to be seen, removing ballot from voting place, improper assistance, and related offenses.
(A) It is unlawful in any election for a voter to:
(1) allow his ballot to be seen by a person, except as provided by law;
(2) take, remove, or attempt to take or remove a ballot from the polling place before the close of the polls;
(3) place a mark upon his ballot by which it may be identified;
(4) take into the election booth a mechanical device to enable him to mark his ballot; or
(5) remain longer than the specified time allowed by law in the booth or compartment after having been notified that his time has expired and requested by a manager to leave the compartment or booth.
(B) It is unlawful for a person to:
(1) interfere with a voter who is inside of the polling place or is marking his ballot;
(2) unduly influence or attempt to influence unduly a voter in the preparation of his ballot;
(3) endeavor to induce a voter to show how he marks or has marked his ballot; or
(4) aid or attempt to aid a voter by means of any mechanical device in marking his ballot.
(C) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year.
DEMOCRATS:
"The law is clear: no campaign materials or attire is allowed within 500 feet of the poll to ensure a fair, intimidation-free voting environment. It's outrageous to see this type of aggression escalate to physical confrontation toward poll workers, especially when many of our Poll Managers are dedicated, older volunteers simply there to make our election process run smoothly. This incident highlights the need to engage more people to work with our full-time election officials to ensure our elections run efficiently and are free of physical intimidation. We urge everyone to remember the importance of respect in our democratic process and to show consideration for the people working hard to make sure everyone in South Carolina has the right to vote."
For further details, please view the video of the incident here
