Top Missouri election official reminds voters of laws against electioneering

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Voters who head to the polls in Boone County on Tuesday can expect an Election Day unlike any other.

Voters can expect to see plexiglass barriers, poll workers wearing masks, social distancing markers and plenty of hand sanitizer.

One thing that will not change is the rules against electioneering at polling places. Clothing supporting candidates and political causes is illegal at the polls under state law.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft told ABC 17 News last week that anyone with clothing, masks or other items supporting a candidate or issue must stay at least 25 feet outside the doors of polling places.

"We want voters to know that when they’re at the polling place, when it’s their time to vote they won’t have people pushing them one way or the other," Ashcroft said. "They have the opportunity in peace to make their own decision.”

Ashcroft's office reminded voters of those rules in a news release Monday, along with the state law that ban guns and allows only voters, their children, poll workers, election officials and approved poll watchers in polling places.

Voters are also barred from taking photographs inside the polls.

Boone County will have 76 polling places open on Election Day, including a universal polling station at Mizzou Arena. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and anyone in line outside the polls by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.