USA is gearing up for elections that are shaping up to be one of the most important events of the year in global politics. On November 5, millions of Americans will have to choose to continue the Democratic line of the current president. Joe Biden with Kamala Harris at the helm or return to a Republican government with former President Donald Trump.
Tuesday, November 5 is the official election day in the United States. However, the American voters They do not have to wait until that day to vote, as they can do so in advance, in person or by mail.
All states offer mail-in voting in some form, while all but three offer in-person early voting: Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire. As it happens, Alabama was the first state to open early voting on September 11.
Take a selfie or sell food
In this sense, they formed infinite queues in many states where their citizens came to vote en masse. And although historically early voting was only used in cases where it was not possible to attend in person on the official Election Day, it now works virtually the same as the traditional method.
In the United States, each state has its own laws, also regarding the electoral process. In this sense, some have very particular and particularly striking prohibitions because they affect very common actions in the country.
One of the prohibitions is make a selfie with the ballota practice that has become very widespread in recent years. However, a total of 18 states consider it illegal and 13 do not have entirely clear laws on this issue. Among those which prohibit it are Nevada, New York and Georgia.
Behind this ban lies right to secret votenot just the person playing the selfiebut also those around them, who can be immortalized, without realizing it. Hence the installation of voting booths.
Lines in North Carolina.
Another of the most curious voting bans in the United States is that of sell food and drinks in lines, this is called “row warming” and is applied in what is called the “buffer zone” around a polling station, less than 150 feet (about 45 meters ) of the building where the ballots are cast.
So, in states like Florida or Georgia, the sale of food and drinks is considered can influence voters. However, opponents of this measure argue that it is a way to keep people in line, especially when queues last for hours, and that it should not affect citizens’ capacity to vote freely.
In fact, last July, a federal court overturned that decision. ban in New York. New York law states that food and beverages can only be distributed to voters waiting in line if they “have a retail value of less than one dollar” and are provided by identified individuals or entities.
Other restrictions that apply to electoral voting are limiting the display of posters, the dissemination of electoral propaganda or the demand for votes within a predetermined distance from an electoral college. In other states, it is also illegal to circulate signature petitions or draft sounds that reference candidates.
In addition, more than twenty states also regulate outfit that voters can carry into polling stations and prohibit them from carrying objects such as buttons and electoral stickers. Animals, except dogs assistance, are generally not allowed in polling stations.
