Legal Definitions - electioneering

Electioneering refers to the activities undertaken by individuals or groups to persuade voters to support or oppose specific candidates, political parties, or ballot issues (such as referendums, bond measures, or proposed laws). These activities are designed to influence public opinion and ultimately affect the outcome of an election.

Common forms of electioneering include displaying campaign signs or posters, distributing flyers or brochures, making public statements, or directly asking people to vote in a particular way. While a fundamental aspect of democratic processes, electioneering is often subject to legal restrictions, particularly concerning its proximity to polling places on Election Day, to ensure a fair and orderly voting environment.

• Polling Place Restriction: On Election Day, a volunteer for a mayoral candidate stands just outside the entrance to a community center being used as a polling place. The volunteer wears a t-shirt with the candidate's name and hands out small cards reminding voters of the candidate's key promises. Local law prohibits any campaign activity within 100 feet of a polling place entrance.

  How this illustrates electioneering: The volunteer's actions—wearing campaign apparel and distributing materials with the intent to influence votes for a specific candidate—clearly fall under electioneering. The fact that it occurs within a restricted zone highlights a common legal limitation on such activities.

• Advocacy for a Ballot Initiative: A local environmental group launches a campaign to encourage residents to vote "Yes" on a ballot measure that would fund the creation of new public parks. They organize phone banks, send out mailers detailing the benefits of the measure, and host informational meetings where they urge attendees to support the initiative.

  How this illustrates electioneering: This example demonstrates electioneering focused on a specific *issue* rather than a candidate. The group's coordinated efforts—through phone calls, mail, and meetings—are all designed to convince voters to cast their ballots in favor of the proposed park funding measure.

• Political Party Outreach: At a county fair, representatives from a political party set up a booth adorned with party banners. They engage with fairgoers, discuss the party's platform, hand out pamphlets listing their endorsed candidates for various offices, and encourage people to register to vote for their party in the upcoming general election.

  How this illustrates electioneering: The party's activities at the fair, including displaying promotional materials, disseminating information about their platform and candidates, and actively soliciting voter support, are all forms of electioneering aimed at influencing voters to support their party and its nominees.