D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 3-707

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 24, June 14, 2024

Rule 3-707 - POLITICAL ACTIVITY AT VOTING PLACES

707.1

The Site Coordinator shall have full authority to maintain order, pursuant to the Election Act, the regulations contained in this section, and directives of the Executive Director, General Counsel and their designees, including full authority to request police officials to enforce lawful orders of the Site Coordinator.

707.2

The only persons who shall be permitted to be present in voting places or ballot counting places are the following:

(a) Designated representatives of the Board;

(b) Police officers or security personnel engaged by the Board;

(c) Duly qualified poll watchers and election observers;

(d) Persons actually engaged in voting; and

(e) Other persons authorized by the Board.

707.3

The only activity which shall be permitted in the portion of any building used as a voting place or ballot counting place shall be the conduct of the election. No partisan or nonpartisan political activity, or any other activity which, in the judgment of the Site Coordinator, may directly or indirectly interfere with the orderly conduct of the election, shall be permitted in, on, or within a reasonable distance outside the building used as a voting place or ballot counting place.

707.4

For the purposes of this section, the term "political activity" shall include, without limitation, any activity intended to persuade a person to vote for or against any candidate or measure or to desist from voting.

707.5

The distance deemed "reasonable" shall be approximately fifty feet (50 ft.) from any door used to enter the building for voting. The exact distance shall be determined by the Site Coordinator, depending on the physical features of the building and surrounding area. Wherever possible, the limits shall be indicated by a chalk line, or by some other physical marker at the vote center.

707.6

A voter may bring materials into the voting place for purpose of aiding the voter to cast their ballot, including, but not limited to, sample ballots, candidate pamphlets, or write-in stamps, or other materials. Any items left in the voting place shall be removed and discarded.

707.7

A person shall be warned to cease and desist his or her conduct upon any instance of the following:

(a) Violation of the Election Act or regulations contained in this section;

(b) Failure to obey any reasonable order of the Board or its representative(s);

(c) Acting in a disorderly manner in, or within a reasonable distance outside the building used as a voting place or ballot counting place.

707.8

If the person committing the violation(s) fails to cease and desist, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia shall be requested to evict the person or take other appropriate action.

D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 3-707

Final Rulemaking published at 39 DCR 2478-79 (April 10, 1992); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 7401 (July 30, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 4245 (May 14, 2010); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 625 (January 24, 2014); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 6543 (6/15/2018); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 12730 (9/22/2023); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR15793 (12/15/2023)

Authority: D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.05(a)(14).