FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – With election season right around the corner, Flagler County is looking to limit distractions at the polls. A proposed resolution would make tents, loudspeakers, and signs banned on county property.
“In the past two elections, we’ve had a lot of aggressive behavior, we had to involve law enforcement,” said county attorney Al Hadeed.
Hadeed said even with the state’s law against soliciting voters within 150 feet of the entrance to a polling location, the campaigning crowds leave little room for voters often.
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“People claim the ground one inch beyond the 150 feet, so the voter has to go through a gauntlet before they get to the 150-foot safe zone,” Hadeed said.
Hadeed told News 6 that’s what they want to change in Flagler, but he said the commission has to recognize the First Amendment rights of those campaigning.
“They also need to balance that with the right of the public to safely traverse without being harassed and intimidated and be able to vote,” he said.
If the resolution is voted in, Hadeed said it would be year-round and not only aiming towards people campaigning, but also people protesting outside of school board meetings, or even the county courthouse.
Right now, the resolution states it would ban people from setting up chairs, tents, and tables, any sound amplifying machine, and they would not be allowed to put their signs up on Flagler County property.
News 6 spoke to residents in Flagler County to see what they think. Some were for it, while others said they would like to see the county commission try to meet more in the middle with those campaigning.
“More of a distance thing would be appropriate instead of a ban. This is a free country. We should be able to speak and do things properly,” said resident Herbert Kraese.
Another resident, Ed Northam, said he believes creating more designated areas would be better.
“As long as they stay away from interfering with how people elect, I don’t see a problem with a designated area and making sure it’s safe,” he said.
Hadeed said the county’s staff is reworking language in this resolution now and reviewing the legality in how it’s written.
The commissioners will then vote on the resolution during their August 5 meeting.
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