NYT says campaign report indicates Bill Clinton went inside the polling place with mayor.

[Mr.Bill]

116. I am a Precinct Inspector in my county in California.

I understand the laws may be different in my state than in Mass. Here any registered voter has the right to stand and observe and examine lists of who has voted. Campaigning or interfering with poll workers or voters is not allowed. But basically the way the law is enforced is it becomes a violation when the offender refuses to leave when ordered to do so.

There can be cases where someone's mere presence can be construed as campaigning, but that is up to the person in charge of the polling place. For instance, if the person is wearing an article of clothing supporting a specific candidate that is campaigning.

One election we had a hotly contested and controversial Sheriff's race. The incumbent was widely supported by the rank and file Deputies. A meeting with the registrar and the two candidates set some ground rules. Certainly it was common for on-duty Deputies to stop and vote during their shift. The challenger was worried they would create a presence at polling places and intimidate the voters in favor of the incumbent. He wanted to prohibit Deputies from entering the polling place in uniform.

The Registrar's decision was that they would be allowed to appear and vote in uniform, but if they loitered after voting, it would be considered campaigning. All the precinct inspectors were informed of this ruling as well as the two candidates and there were no problems.

The challenger won, by the way.

Long story, I know, I just wanted to give an example of how these laws can be interpreted. In my opinion, as long as Bill Clinton did not remain after being asked to leave by someone in charge, and was not actively handing out literature or otherwise campaigning, no foul.

I would fully expect this issue will be discussed at the poll worker training session before the next election. Myself, as a precinct inspector, I would have asked Mr. Clinton to leave, but he would not be charged with violating the law if he left when asked. If anyone was at fault here, it was whoever was in charge of the polling place.