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Johnny2X2X

(19,051 posts)
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:22 PM Nov 2018

Go buy dollar store umbrellas and hand them out polling places.

Several cycles ago it was raining and I saw people standing in line waiting to vote in the rain in the morning, so I stopped at the Dollar Store and bought 20 really cheap $1 umbrellas and handed them out at a couple polling places in my city. I told people to continue to pass them onto other when they got inside. No one told me I couldn't do that.

I was really proud of myself when I came home from work in the evening and saw people in line still using the umbrellas I handed out.

Edited: People said it is legal so I am amending this thread to be a suggestion.

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Go buy dollar store umbrellas and hand them out polling places. (Original Post) Johnny2X2X Nov 2018 OP
Great Gesture! Throck Nov 2018 #1
I wouldn't think so. Good on you. Lochloosa Nov 2018 #2
Good for you! Brainstormy Nov 2018 #3
Why wold it be? You weren't campaigning. 2naSalit Nov 2018 #4
The only issue I can think of is if it had a political slogan MagickMuffin Nov 2018 #5
An idea for those DUers reporting rain in their location!!! A Dollar Store. I wouldn't have ... LAS14 Nov 2018 #6
KUDOs and many thanks for your kindness and citizenship. lark Nov 2018 #7
Why would it be? PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2018 #8
Thank you! Hermit-The-Prog Nov 2018 #9
As long as you don't advocate for a candidate or party should be ok. Blue_true Nov 2018 #10
Only would be a problem Lithos Nov 2018 #11
Unless it had a political ad on it, should be OK. Wounded Bear Nov 2018 #12
The right wingers probably kept them. "Hey, free... Whiskeytide Nov 2018 #13
Yes. It is legal. In '08 we had ponchos ready OhioBlue Nov 2018 #14
What a great gesture! Dem_4_Life Nov 2018 #15
Thanks everyone Johnny2X2X Nov 2018 #16
I bought some rain ponchos for the same reason but it never rained. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #17

2naSalit

(86,569 posts)
4. Why wold it be? You weren't campaigning.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:25 PM
Nov 2018

I in the south somewhere in past elections, I saw people who bought or brought lawn chairs to for people to sit in. It's just a humanitarian gesture so there shouldn't be a problem with that. I can't imagine anyone standing in the rain would co,plain that someone was kind enough to think of their welfare while waiting to perform a civic duty.

MagickMuffin

(15,936 posts)
5. The only issue I can think of is if it had a political slogan
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:25 PM
Nov 2018

Otherwise I don't think it is illegal.


Thanks for caring!!!

LAS14

(13,783 posts)
6. An idea for those DUers reporting rain in their location!!! A Dollar Store. I wouldn't have ...
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:26 PM
Nov 2018

... thought of that!

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,849 posts)
8. Why would it be?
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:27 PM
Nov 2018

Same with handing out free coffee or pizza. So long as you're not campaigning too close to the actual polling place, and different places have different distance limits, or not otherwise breaking the law (don't cavort about naked with only your candidate's name painted on your body) you are going to be fine.

Buying and passing out the cheap umbrellas was extremely kind of you.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
10. As long as you don't advocate for a candidate or party should be ok.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:30 PM
Nov 2018

Was great to hear that later that day, people were passing the umbrellas backward to shield others from the rain.

Lithos

(26,403 posts)
11. Only would be a problem
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:34 PM
Nov 2018

If you denied based on partisan reasons or if they were tied to a campaign...

Whiskeytide

(4,461 posts)
13. The right wingers probably kept them. "Hey, free...
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:40 PM
Nov 2018

... umbrella!”

A great idea, kind gesture and Not illegal (at least not in Alabama). Good for you.

OhioBlue

(5,126 posts)
14. Yes. It is legal. In '08 we had ponchos ready
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:42 PM
Nov 2018

To hand out if there were long lines and it was raining. Bottles of water too if lines were long. This was organized by OFA. We didn't have long lines in my area. A push by OFA for early vote plus Jennifer Brunner as a competent Secretary of State that cleaned up Ken Blackwells mess, combined to make Election Day much better than '04

Johnny2X2X

(19,051 posts)
16. Thanks everyone
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:51 PM
Nov 2018

It is pouring here in Grand Rapids MI, I am stopping at the dollar store after work and I'll go to inner city polling places and hand them out where lines are long enough to make people wait outside.

littlemissmartypants

(22,632 posts)
17. I bought some rain ponchos for the same reason but it never rained.
Wed Nov 7, 2018, 06:13 AM
Nov 2018

The gray sky changed to blue. I took it as an omen.


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