Chapter 4. Places

4.A. The Campaign Free Zone

4.A.1 Electioneering

Electioneering is activity intended to influence a voter’s choice in an election.

The poll watcher should recognize both the subject and the form of electioneering.

Electioneering is restricted in Polling Places and at registration events.

4.A.1.a. What is Electioneering?

If it could influence a voter’s choice, treat it as electioneering.

If it promotes or opposes anything on the ballot, treat it as electioneering.

If a voter can see or hear it and it relates to the ballot, treat it as electioneering.

If there is any question, contact the poll watcher team.

4.A.1.b. Restricted Subjects

  • Candidates on the ballot.
  • Political parties.
  • Images or messages that identify a candidate or political party.
  • Ballot propositions.
  • Organizations that support or oppose a ballot proposition.
  • Constitutional questions on the ballot.
  • Organizations that support or oppose a Constitutional question on the ballot.

4.A.1.c. Restricted Actions and Objects

  • Campaigning.
  • Soliciting votes.
  • Political discussion intended to influence a voter.
  • Wearing or displaying campaign paraphernalia, including:
    • Buttons, pins, and ribbons.
    • Clothing.
    • Tattoos or make-up displaying campaign messages.

Relevant Illinois State Law

No person shall, at any precinct registration or reregistration, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any precinct registration place or within 30 feet thereof. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from being present in or near any precinct registration place. All persons who register to vote at any precinct registration place must be residents of the precinct in which they register.

10 ILCS 5/4-7
Registration of Electors
In Counties Having a
Population of Less than 500,000

10 ILCS 5/5-17
Registration of Electors
In Counties Having a
Population of 500,000 or More

10 ILCS 5/6-31
Registration of Electors
In Jurisdictions With
Local Boards of Election

No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.

10 ILCS 5/4-6.2(e)

10 ILCS 5/5-16.2(e)

10 ILCS 5/6-50.2(e)

No person shall do any electioneering or soliciting of votes on primary day within any polling place or within one hundred feet of any polling place...

10 ILCS 5/7-41(c)
Primary

No judge of election, pollwatcher, or other person shall, at any primary or election, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any polling place, within 100 feet of any polling place, or, at the option of a church or private school, on any of the property of that church or private school that is a polling place; no person shall interrupt, hinder or oppose any voter while approaching within those areas for the purpose of voting. Judges of election shall enforce the provisions of this Section.

10 ILCS 5/17-29(a)

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