Bill Adds Distance To Electioneering

Rep. Jeff Alltus doesn’t want people to have to run the gauntlet of signature-seekers in order to vote.

Alltus, R-Hayden, proposed new legislation to the House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday concerning the distance at which an electioneer may hand out circulations, collect signatures, or put up election signs.

Current law does not allow electioneering within 100 feet of the polling place, on either public or private land. Alltus’ legislation would move that distance to 300 feet on public property.

The committee voted 18 to 3 to introduce the legislation.

Rep. Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint, disagreed with the new legislation as well as the current law. He was concerned that a person owning private property within 100 feet of a polling place could not put up election signs.

“That’s a commie position,” said Stoicheff.

, DataTimes