First broken voting rule of my morning
November 4, 2008 at 8:38 am by Andisheh Nouraee in NewsThis morning at approximately 7:15 A.M., someone handed out campaign literature promoting Georgia Court of Appeals candidate Michael Meyer von Bremen to voters in line at the First Christian Church in Decatur.
When I said to him “You can’t hand those out here,” he muttered something that included the words “150 feet from the door,” and continued handing out his literature.
In fact, state law prohibits campaigning within 150 feet of the polling place building. We were standing 10 feet from the building.
UPDATE: I reported this incident to Secretary of State Karen Handel’s office via its web complaint form. They called me approximately five minutes after I sent the complaint to tell me they were contacting von Bremen’s campaign.
UPDATE 2: A commenter says von Bremen was not in Decatur today. I haven’t heard back from the campaign yet, but have modified the post
UPDATE 3: Michael Meyer von Bremen e-mailed me to say that he has been in Albany since Sunday. He was NOT in Decatur handing out campaign literature today.
In the original post, I speculated that the person handing out the campaign literature might have been Von Bremen himself. After I was handed the campaign literature, I visited von Bremen’s campaign web site on my phone and saw the candidate’s photo. I thought to myself, “Hey, that’s the guy who was handing out flyers.” Two people in line next to me looked at the photo and agreed. Unfortunately, I was unable to confirm the campaigner’s identity as he departed before I could pull up the picture.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:30 am
So how’s that endorsement going?
November 4th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Alas, one of the reasons not to vote early – boneheaded moves.
I’ve often wondered if it’s 150 feet from the building, the door to polling place, the voting machine, or what.
Certainly, passing lit out in line is contrary to the spirit of the law.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:45 am
The Sec. of State web site say 150 feet from the building — as did the red sign on the church door.
We were approximately 10 feet from the building – but also less than 150 feet from the door.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
It’s not Michael Meyer von Bremen. He is in Albany, GA today, about 180 miles from Decatur. He has also contacted his campaign workers in DeKalb to ensure they are complying with the law.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
When I called the Atlanta office to ask about this report, I wasn’t told he was in Albany.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Just tried to call his Senate office again to see if they would say he was in Albany, but it went to a message.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Michael is not in Decatur and he is not in his Senate office (Atlanta or Albany). He has been with me at the law office here in Albany all day. By the way, he did the caller’s message about the “Legislative Issue” and he was not within 10 feet – more like 180 miles.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Just checking, is your real name Brian or are you using my real name from the Caller ID to intimidate me?
November 4th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
To be fair, there is a third option, coincidence.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
No Caller ID
November 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I hope not, thank you.