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Ban on chicken suits at polls still stands
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John Locher/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Michael Ginsburg takes part in early primary voting Wednesday at the Rainbow Library in Las Vegas. » Buy this photo
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Updated: May 27, 2010 | 11:51 a.m.
Protesters of a statewide ban to keep people dressed as chickens from coming closer than 100 feet to polling places are crying "fowl."
It seems Secretary of State Ross Miller's ban did not stop some peeps from flocking to vote Wednesday.
"Anyone else tired of chickens?" Miller tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
Clad in a bright yellow chicken suit, Michael Ginsburg voted at the Rainbow Library despite the ban, claiming the debate has transformed into a free speech issue rather than a jab at any one particular candidate.
"The concern is they could ban something else," said Ginsburg, an at-large board member for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. "I understand the chicken outfit has become synonymous with a certain campaign, which we weren't actually discussing or out in opposition to. This really just interferes with someone's First Amendment rights."
For weeks, chicken jokes have permeated the news, with pundits chiding Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sue Lowden for her remarks suggesting people could barter with doctors for medical care.
But Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said the Election Department cannot stop someone from voting as long as they are not interfering with the process.
"This whole thing is ridiculous," Lomax said. "You've got a state with a $3billion deficit, a country that's bankrupt, and that's what we're dealing with. We instructed our workers to let them vote. They can vote.
"Then we get them out of there as quickly as possible."
Immediately after voting, Ginsburg was escorted from the polling place.
Miller has refused to lift his ban, saying state law prohibits "electioneering" or campaigning for or against a candidate closer than 100 feet to polling places.
But he also acknowledged that local election officials have discretion when it comes to voter dress at the polls.
The law that Miller cites as giving him authority to prohibit people in chicken suits from being in polling places does not specifically mention what people can or cannot wear.
Instead, it states people cannot buy, sell, wear or display "any badge, button or insigne which is designed or tends to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, candidate or ballot question."
Miller said it would not be unlawful for people to show up at polls dressed as Uncle Sam or even Freddy Krueger of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" fame as long as it did not interfere with other voters.
Miller said that despite the ban, people in chicken suits are showing up at polls and standing more than 100 feet away.
"Obviously, some people are trying to get publicity out of this issue," he said. "Their protest of my ban laid an egg."
Everyone knows that the chicken suit wearer is sending a message against one particular candidate, Miller added.
"I know they aren't at the polls to vote for Colonel Sanders," he quipped.
ProgressNow Nevada had asked Miller to lift the ban, contending that it is a matter of free speech and that there is no law prohibiting costumes at the polls.
"If I wanted to vote as Uncle Sam would that be a problem? If I chose to dress as a gorilla, would that be a problem?" ProgressNow Nevada Executive Director Erin Neff asked in a letter to Miller.
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@ reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900 or reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.
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Lowden again refuses to answer questions on Civil Rights http://bit.ly/ach6v0
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I just am amazed at the people who don't know recent history. That - They don't understand why the original statement was made....!!
The people wearing the Chicken Suits just are making it easier, to laugh at them....
It's bad enough that we have politicians masquerading as public servants. . .
This is a stupid article and even dumber rule. Who cares? Do you really think wearing anything in particular will sway voters? If Joe Blow shows up in a monkey costume, will voters pick Gibbons?
Gotta wonder - can you wear your KFC, El Pollo Loco, or other chicken restaurant uniform?
I didn't care about Erin Neff's opinion when she was a "journalist" at this paper a few years back, and I don't care for it now.
Passive/Aggressive behaviour is so unattractive and yet so prevalent in politics.
There are so many important issues at stake in this election, and some want to turn it into a Dog and Pony show. Shame on them.
The Progressive Leadership Alliance are most likely the same people that denounce and mock Tea Partiers for wearing wardrobe from the 1776.
Personally I wouldn’t wear anything like that but if this isn’t the pot calling the kettle black nothing else is.
Both are minor issues hardly worth a story, on the other hand even a guy in a chicken suit will beat Reid come November, along with other incumbents.
First time I can’t wait for fall and winter to come.
Change we can count on, yes we can!!!
So if I wear a dinosaur suit will they know I'm voting for Gibbons?
Since Holder decided not to prosecute the Black Panthers, the progressives will be able to wear what they want with no repercussions.
What a mockery of one of the most sacred rights we have as Americans.