"Core political speech" is a bedrock of American jurisprudence. Yet, the Viginia Election Board has now decreed that wearing a political tee-shirt or hat or button is grounds to BAR ACCESS TO THE POLLS in Virginia, despite the fact that this is is exactly the sort of core protected speech protected most fiercely by the First Amendment.
Core political speech consists of conduct and words that are intended to directly rally public support for a particular issue, position, or candidate. In one prominent case the U. S. Supreme Court suggested that core political speech involves any "interactive communication concerning political change." Meyer v. Grant, 486 U.S. 414, 108 S.Ct. 1886, 100 L.Ed.2d 425 (1988). Discussion of public issues and debate on the qualifications of candidates, the Supreme Court concluded, are forms of political expression integral to the system of government established by the federal Constitution. Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1, 96 S.Ct. 612, 46 L.Ed.2d 659 (U.S. 1976). Thus, circulating handbills and petitions, posting signs and placards, and making speeches and orations are all forms of core political speech, so long as they in some way address social issues, a political positions, political parties, political candidates, government officials, or governmental activities
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What is more "core" than espousing one's political views WHILE PHYSICALLY ENGAGING in the right to vote? When you GO TO THE POLLS shouldn't you be entitled to display on your body, your coat, your hat, your button, the NAME OF THE CANDIDATE FOR WHOM YOU VOTE?
Nonetheless, this is what the Virginia Elections Board has GONE ON RECORD TO RULE!
It's OK to be fired up about voting for your candidate next month. Just don't wear your feelings on your sleeve.
Or your hat, or your lapel or anyplace else when you show up at the polls.
The State Board of Elections on Tuesday voted 2-1 to ban clothing, hats, buttons or other paraphernalia that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or issue inside polling places.
The prohibition follows an existing ban against electioneering within 40 feet of the entrance to any polling precinct.
When did the government enact a DRESS CODE on how we show up to exercise our most fundamental core right to support and vote for a presidential candidate?
I'm not talking about threats, or yelling "fire" in a theate, I'm talking about wearing a goddamm BUTTON to show my pride and enthusism for a candidate -- hello, the "core" political speech protected by the Constitution, WHILE I am actually ENGAGING IN my franchise to CAST MY VOTE!
Hello, should I adopt some sort of code -- winking "right" or "left" to show which candidate I support? Should I LIMP on the left or the right as a clue? Should I FALL DOWN one way or another.
HELLO! Since WHEN did we have to adopt STUPID CODES to tell the world which candidates we support WHEN WE GO TO THE POLLS TO VOTE?
Oh wait, is that what the party system is about?
Nevermind.....