Law protecting Mainers from voter intimidation goes into effect on Friday

AUGUSTA — A new law designed to prevent intimidating activity at polling places is due to take effect on Friday, July 29.

“I feel very strongly that a person has a right to security and privacy when he or she is voting,” said the law’s author, Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham.  “I was very concerned when I heard of disruptions at the polls last year and I am glad I could help address this problem before it occurs again.”

The law establishes a 15-foot “minimum distance” between people video recording activity on Election Day and the people they would record.  It was enacted in response to activists’ recording voters as they signed petitions on Election Day last year, with reported cases of video recorders impeding voters’ paths and demanding that voters state their names for the camera.

Adding to the discord, wardens had difficulty handling the situation due to uncertainty about polling laws.

“This law also helps the wardens who are charged with making sure elections go smoothly by taking the guesswork out of what is permissible in the polling place,” said Sen. Diamond.  “Voting is very important, and Mainers deserve to be fully protected while doing it.”

The new measure has the backing of Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, who oversees Maine’s elections.