Ga. Polling Place Rules On Selfies, Guns And Signs Explained

“There’s no prohibition from citizens, or visitors, or curious people, or whoever going and hanging around at polling places, watching what’s going on, observing people coming in and out,” said Chris Harvey, elections director in the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.

One caveat, politicians are only allowed to enter polling places to vote.

Campaigning, campaign signs, or even campaign clothing are prohibited within 150 feet of a polling place. But, campaigns and political parties are allowed a few of their own poll observers. You might see them inside, but if they see a problem they have to leave to make any phone calls. 

Harold Franklin Jr. is part of non-partisan poll observers group with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. 

“We have T-shirts that say non-partisan election protection,” Franklin said.

They’ll be answering questions, and watching for voter intimidation. What qualifies as intimidation is pretty subjective.

“But there are certain things that rise to the level of intimidation over others,” said Franklin. “Georgia is an open-carry state, and so individuals with weapons exposed who are coming and asking questions and attempting to challenge voters,” qualifies as intimidation, according to Franklin.

Police and official security are the only people allowed to carry weapons inside polling places. 

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