Chapter 7. While the Polls Are Open

7.B. Checking the Markers of the Campaign Free Zone and the Public Forum

Soon after the polls open, the poll watcher should check that the markers are in place to show the boundary of the Campaign Free Zone.

The poll watcher should check that there are signs identifying the Polling Place near the roadway.

This check is done after the polls open because:

  • 1. There is sunlight.
  • 2. The poll watcher can leave the Polling Place for short periods and return without disturbing the election process.

The poll watcher can check the Campaign Free Zone and the Public Forum throughout the day.

The poll watcher must not move or touch the markers, flags, or signs. If there is a problem, it is to be reported to an Election Judge.

The poll watcher observes that no electioneering takes place within the Campaign Free Zone and that any protests or political discussions take place outside the Campaign Free Zone.

Poll watchers should pay particular attention to anyone attempting to stop, delay, or interfere with voters or persons attempting to register to vote from reaching the Polling Place.

Report problems to an Election Judge and to the poll watcher team.

Relevant Illinois State Law

Election officers shall place 2 or more cones, small United States national flags, or some other marker a distance of 100 horizontal feet from each entrance to the room used by voters to engage in voting, which shall be known as the polling room.

  • If the polling room is located within a building that is a private business, a public or private school, or a church or other organization founded for the purpose of religious worship and the distance of 100 horizontal feet ends within the interior of the building, then the markers shall be placed outside of the building at each entrance used by voters to enter that building on the grounds adjacent to the thoroughfare or walkway.
  • If the polling room is located within a public or private building with 2 or more floors and the polling room is located on the ground floor, then the markers shall be placed 100 horizontal feet from each entrance to the polling room used by voters to engage in voting.
  • If the polling room is located in a public or private building with 2 or more floors and the polling room is located on a floor above or below the ground floor, then the markers shall be placed a distance of 100 feet from the nearest elevator or staircase used by voters on the ground floor to access the floor where the polling room is located.
  • The area within where the markers are placed shall be known as a campaign free zone, and electioneering is prohibited pursuant to this subsection.

In addition, the election judges shall ensure that a sign identifying the location of the polling place is placed on a nearby public roadway. The State Board of Elections shall establish guidelines for the placement of polling place signage.

The area on polling place property beyond the campaign free zone, whether publicly or privately owned, is a public forum for the time that the polls are open on an election day. At the request of election officers any publicly owned building must be made available for use as a polling place. A person shall have the right to congregate and engage in electioneering on any polling place property while the polls are open beyond the campaign free zone, including but not limited to, the placement of temporary signs.

10 ILCS 5/7-41(c)
Primaries

10 ILCS 5/17-29(b)
General, municipal, special,
and consolidated elections.

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