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Council to review proposal tightening rules around campaigning at polling stations
Summary
Council debated whether to tighten restrictions on campaigning and candidate presence near polling sites. Some members argued expanded buffers would protect voters from harassment; others said expanded limits would impede grassroots access. The mayor directed staff to draft an ordinance for Committee of the Whole review.
Councilmembers debated whether to tighten local rules on campaigning at polling stations at the Feb. 26 meeting, prompted by complaints about aggressive behavior at some polling locations.
The mayor opened the discussion noting a previous council request to consider limiting activity near polling doors and referenced the state rule that bars campaigning within a 150‑foot zone of polling entrances. Several councilmembers said they had received constituent complaints about campaigning that felt intrusive or aggressive as voters arrived.
Councilmember Steinke and others supported additional limits to preserve a private space for voters to cast ballots without pressure. “I don't want to be accosted at the polls,” Steinke said. Councilmember Kilrain and other members cautioned against restricting grassroots access, saying candidate presence at polling places is a legitimate campaign tactic and that overly broad limits could advantage well‑funded campaigns.
After discussion, the mayor asked the city attorney and staff to draft proposed ordinance language clarifying allowable activity at polling sites and return the draft to a Committee of the Whole meeting for further consideration. No ordinance vote occurred during the meeting.
