Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Media Fight Nevada Exit-Poll Restrictions
Source: Associated Press A Nevada law that bars exit polling near voting places violates the constitutional rights of the press, The Associated Press and five television networks allege in a lawsuit.
While the lawsuit is pending, AP, ABC, CNN, CBS, Fox News and NBC also want an injunction preventing enforcement of the law during the upcoming elections, said Susan Buckley, a New York attorney for the news organizations.
Nevada election laws have for decades included provisions aimed at preventing partisan activity near polling sites. Under state law, it is illegal "for any person to solicit a vote or to speak to a voter on the subject of marking his ballot" within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling site.
Heller‘s office, responding to the news organizations‘ inquiries, said Sept. 29 that exit polling within 100 feet of polling places would be a misdemeanor violation of the law.
While the lawsuit is pending, AP, ABC, CNN, CBS, Fox News and NBC also want an injunction preventing enforcement of the law during the upcoming elections, said Susan Buckley, a New York attorney for the news organizations.
Nevada election laws have for decades included provisions aimed at preventing partisan activity near polling sites. Under state law, it is illegal "for any person to solicit a vote or to speak to a voter on the subject of marking his ballot" within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling site.
Heller‘s office, responding to the news organizations‘ inquiries, said Sept. 29 that exit polling within 100 feet of polling places would be a misdemeanor violation of the law.
# posted by ATN @ 5:10 PM 
