Rockland Assemblyman Introduces "Vote In Peace" Act

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — In response to reports about supporters of President Donald Trump staging a loud rally at an early polling place in Virginia, New York Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski introduced legislation Wednesday he called the Vote In Peace Act.

"There is something sacred about a citizen heading into the polls to vote. After a long campaign season voters should be able to park and walk into the voting booth without being bombarded or intimidated by throngs of volunteers," Zebrowski (D-NYAD 96) said in a news release.

He said he wants to close a loophole in current state law, which prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place.

Zebrowski, who represents much of Rockland County in the Hudson Valley north of New York City, wants to prohibit electioneering on the entire polling place property as well as within 100 feet of the polls, saying the traditional buffer seems arbitrary for the footprint of most polling places.

He cited what he called "an egregious example" in Virginia when the sole early-voting place in Fairfax became the site of a political demonstration Friday by President Trump supporters.

The Brothers In Christ Motorcycle Ministry, which took part in the rally, posted videos on its Facebook page.

According to The Washington Informer, people who were present said the group was intimidating. The paper quoted a poll watcher who wished to remain anonymous out of fear. Read the entire article, "Black Voters Take Advantage of Early Voting in Virginia" on TWI.

Virginia has a similar law to New York, prohibiting electioneering within 40 feet of the polling place entrance.

But the reality is that many polling places are large facilities with large parking lots that render these prohibitions useless, Zebrowski said.

"The current law makes sense on a city block or a village main street where the entrance to a polling place leads to a public sidewalk. However, the current law provides little protection at many polling places where there are walkways and parking lots," he said.

The bill was drafted earlier this year based upon local incidents over the years, he said, adding that "during some Rockland elections, voters can be seen pulling into parking lots while volunteers literally chase down their car."

That leads to a chaotic and uncomfortable situation for voters, he said. "It is vitally important for candidates to communicate with voters and get their message out. By the time a voter shows up at the polls, however, they shouldn’t have to deal with dueling volunteers shoving flyers into their hands. Bottom line: voters should be able to vote in peace."