STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS UPHOLDS CAMPAIGN MATERIALS CODE

News Release
	For Immediate Release:       October 16, 2008	For More Information: Susan S. Pollard, APR Director of Communications Office: 804-786-0282 Mobile: 804-641-9199 Or 804-864-8901 (Press 3)
	STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS UPHOLDS CAMPAIGN MATERIALS CODE ~ Voters May Not Exhibit Campaign Materials within 40 Feet of Polling Place ~
	The State Board of Elections met Tuesday, October 14 to clarify the interpretation of section 24.2-604 of the Code of Virginia which states it is unlawful for any person to exhibit campaign materials within 40 feet of any entrance to a polling place.   The Board upheld the Code and interpreted the phrase to mean no person shall display any material which advocates for or against a clearly identified candidate. Any person who does show or exhibit these materials will be asked to remove or cover it until they leave the prohibited area and polling place. This law has been in place for many years.   Nothing in the policy prohibits any person from bringing campaign materials, but these materials cannot be exhibited within 40 feet of any entrance of any polling place. However, within the actual polling place itself, no voter will be able to influence a fellow voter for a particular candidate.   Voters can help speed up the election process by not wearing or bringing any potential campaign materials inside the polls.   For more information go to www.sbe.virginia.gov and click on Election Laws. The policy is listed under Board Policies as “SBE Policy 2008-007- Definition of “Exhibit Other Campaign Materials.” # # #