Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center being used as polling place under certain circumstances.
Summary
Senate Bill 1172 introduces provisions allowing police officers to be present at senior residential centers designated as polling places, upon request from the center. The intent of the bill is to ensure safety and security during elections, especially at locations where seniors gather and potentially face unique challenges or concerns. The bill stipulates that officers dispatched must be in plain clothes and are explicitly prohibited from interfering with individuals casting their votes, ensuring that the voting process remains unobstructed and respected.
Under current law, police can only be assigned to such locations if a specific threat or safety concern is reported. The new provisions broaden this to include situations where a center proactively requests police presence, thereby potentially increasing the comfort and security felt by senior voters. This change reflects sensitivity to the needs of an aging population, acknowledging their specific vulnerabilities during election periods.
The bill mandates that senior centers notify the district board if they wish for police assistance. This board, in turn, informs county election officials who then communicate with the Secretary of State. This layered notification process ensures accountability and proper management of police assignments, yielding a record of each instance where law enforcement is present at a polling site.
Experts and legislators may debate the implications of this bill on voter perception and turnout among seniors, weighing the necessity of safety against the optics of law enforcement presence at polling places. The bill suggests a balance between maintaining order and preventing intimidation, as the clear requirement for officers to remain non-intrusive aims to foster a safe voting environment without creating additional stress or fear for voters.
Same As
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.
Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan.