Official: Bill Clinton shaking hands does not violate election law

[riversedge]

Sanders fans have been whining about this all day. I will post this in case anyone needs to use.


Official: Bill Clinton shaking hands does not violate election law

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/01/politics/bill-clinton-campaigning-polling-place-super-tuesday/index.html

By Jason Hanna, CNN

Updated 8:26 PM ET, Tue March 1, 2016 | Video Source: CNN

Story highlights

Bill Clinton stumped for his wife's presidential campaign in Massachusetts on Tuesday -- including inside a polling place
The secretary of the commonwealth's office said shaking hands alone isn't prohibited

(CNN)Election officials in Massachusetts say no official complaints have been filed against former President Bill Clinton, who was spotted Tuesday shaking hands with those inside a Boston polling station.
.........................

Stumping for his wife's presidential bid, Clinton met with voters and election workers at Holy Name Parish School's gymnasium, according to pool reports.

Brian McNiff, spokesman for the secretary of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, says shaking hands alone isn't prohibited. Explicit campaigning is what's banned within 150 feet of a polling places.

"Just meeting people doesn't constitute campaigning," McNiff told CNN. "We received no information that anything like that happened."
...............

[Lucinda]

1. TY!

[Cha]

2. Hillary WON Mass!

Thank you, rivers!

[Optimism]

3. I'm pretty sure ...

... that in one of the (many) videos I saw tonight, Bill urged those waiting in the poll lines that he 'hoped they'd vote for Hillary'.

Guess it depends on what the meaning of 'for' is ?

[Thinkingabout]

9. Where is your link?

[LoveMyCali]

4. I wish I had the energy to post this link

for my reality challenged "friends" on face book.

Tonight was a big night for Hillary and those of us that stand with her but the BSers have managed to suck all the joy out of it.

[72DejaVu]

5. I think many Bernie supporters are new to politics

and that's a great thing, but sometimes they interpret regular politics the way it's been done for generations, as something underhanded.

Candidates and there surrogates have always greeted folks at the polls. And they know thee rules. You can introduce yourself, shake hands, make small talk. As long as you don't explicitly say "Vote for me (or mine)" or "Please support___", or things along those lines, they have done nothing wrong.

[Thinkingabout]

8. As long as this solicitation is outside the normal 150 foot "barrier" it is completely legal.

In fact it is something very normal in elections. I have worked in voting precincts, have posted the "barrier" markers, have been taught to observe those who enter inside to make sure the rules are observed.

[72DejaVu]

10. Different jurisdictions may interpret things differently

Up here in Maine, saying hello and bitching about the weather is not considered "solicitation"

[Thinkingabout]

11. Exactly, it is only when solicitation occurs it is a violation, Bill

Mingling with poll workers and perhaps to ask for the number of voters which have voted is not solicitation.

[Coolest Ranger]

6. wait, what?

Did someone really claim he was breaking the rules by doing that? WAIT, WHAT?

[Stuckinthebush]

12. It was all over GDP yesterday

We had to call the wahbulance!

It was sad to see. Really sad. They were "disgusted" with Bill. They shook their fists and screamed. Very humorous.

[Thinkingabout]

7. I saw this yesterday with claims Bill violated election laws.

Election laws was quoted but no proof Bill violated any of these laws, no proof of solicitation, no proof of obstructing voters from voting, no proof of being disorderly. There is not a law against poll watchers or observers and Bill Clinton is not prevented from exercising his rights. This is another conspiracy theory based on "feelings".

[SunSeeker]

13. K & R

[George II]

14. The MA Secretary of State said yesterday that he did nothing improper.

[yallerdawg]

15. More unfounded speculation and innuendo.

Hillary's Massachusetts votes should be thrown out, and the win awarded to Sanders!

You know - we should only count votes for Bernie !

OMFG!

[sufrommich]

16. Shhh. The Sanders supporters campaign to have

Bill Clinton arrested must go on.