July 25, 2008
TO: Blount County Election Commission

SUBJECT: Complaint

The ground floor of the Blount County Courthouse has been designated as a polling place for early voting. The Blount County Election Commission, the administrator of elections and the officer in charge of the polls have the responsibility for carrying out the duties given to them by State Laws in holding an election. Neither the building manager, City or County government nor police can interfere with or abrogate this responsibility. Tennessee laws are designed to prevent undue influence or intimidation of campaign workers and voters.

Prior to 1993 TCA 2-7-111 prohibited campaign signs on the grounds of any building in which a polling place is located, however in 1993 TCA 2-7-111 (B)(1) was changed to permit this activity. The placing of campaign signs is not a prohibited practice outside the 100 ft boundary sign. It is a recognized historical fact that campaign activity such as solicitation of votes, distribution of campaign materials, displaying signs, buttons and other media is permitted and expected at the polls.

On Monday July 21, I placed two campaign signs on either side of the sidewalk leading to the polls. I returned less than an hour later to find them removed. I replaced them and asked two workers nearby if the knew who removed them and they said that the courthouse grounds supervisor did and that he was en-route here. He arrived and told me that “state laws” prohibited the signs and then he proceeded to again remove my signs. During the last election in 2006 I placed campaign signs at this same location.

I demand that the Blount County Election Commission stop the harassment and intimidation of campaign workers on the grounds near the polls while voting is going on.