Apparel rules unfairly limit expression at polls

With the election less than one month away, there is still a little time left for students to register to vote. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 20 for Kansas residents.

In addition to the local Republican and Democratic headquarters, Emporians can register to vote at the Lyon County Clerk’s Office, 420 Commercial St., or at the Emporia City Clerk’s Office, 522 Mechanic St. While registering, voters are required to give the last four digits of their social security number.

On Election Day, there are 20 precincts in Emporia where citizens are assigned to vote. The precinct that voters go to is determined by their residential address. After registration, voters are sent a card with information about their particular precinct.

However, many people aren’t aware of a Kansas law that “prohibits the wearing or display of any clothing or signs within 250 feet of the polling place on Election Day which might be an attempt to persuade or influence eligible voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, political party or question on the ballot.”

I understand that polling places don’t want crowds of people hanging around outside, trying to convince people to vote for certain candidates. It is strange, however, to think about how our right to expression is apparently taken away at the poll place.

What if I want to wear a T-shirt to endorse a candidate? Or a button? Or my car has a bumper sticker on it within 250 feet of the door? Will I be refused the right to vote? I certainly don’t think that I should be.

If we put a limitation on what people can wear or how they can express themselves when they vote, what is stopping the government from putting a limitation on freedom of expression all of the time?

There are time, place and manner restrictions saying that the laws must be content neutral, not constitute a complete ban on communication, be justified by substantial state interest and be narrowly tailored.

It seems to me that this law constitutes a complete ban on communication – my right to communicate who I endorse during my first chance to vote in a presidential election.

For many students, this will be the first election where they will be eligible to vote. I strongly encourage students to become active participants in the election process – and not just because you get the cool little “I Voted” sticker when you leave.

Just don’t wear any stickers on the way in.