POLLING PLACE ACTIVITY POLICY

1. The Election Commission uses a building as a polling place location after being granted permission to do so by a building owner or authorized representative.

2. The attached Polling Place Confirmation Letter is sent by the Election Commission to a building owner or authorized representative prior to each election. A copy of this policy shall be included with the letter.

3. If  the Election Commission receives a request by a group or individual(s) who wish to conduct an activity in a polling place building on election day they shall  be provided with a copy of this policy and informed of the following:

a. The Election Commission is not authorized to, and does not grant, such permission for activities in a polling place building.  Any such permission must be obtained in writing from the building owner or authorized representative and submitted to the Election Commission no later than five (5) business days prior to the election.  Failure to do so may lead to exclusion of the activity from the polling place.

b. The activities of a group or individual(s) who obtains such written permission from the building owner or authorized representative shall be subject to regulation by the Cambridge Election Commission pursuant to election laws that include M.G.L.Ch.54, s.65 which regulates that certain types of activities are not allowed within 150 feet of polling place on Election Day.

c. A group or individual(s) who obtains such written permission from the building owner or authorized representative shall not obstruct access to polling places nor hinder voters from voting.

d. The warden or clerk at the polling place is authorized pursuant to M.G.L.Ch.54, s.71 to maintain peace, order and decorum at the polls, including removing or relocating any activity or individual(s) that obstructs or hinders voters from voting.

e. The only activities allowed in the polling place room where voting occurs are those related to voting.

Attachments: Confirmation letter [not included]
    M.G.L.Ch.54, s.65 [not included]
    M.G.L.Ch.54, s.71 [not included]