BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Playback58@gmail.com

FRANKLIN—If you’re still campaigning for your candidate or ballot issue come Tuesday, Nov. 6, the number to keep in mind that day is 40.

Whether you’re a campaign worker or candidate, you must stay at least 40 feet from any entrance to where a poll is located on Election Day in Virginia.

Franklin Registrar Jennifer Maynard shared other Virginia State Board of Election guidelines for campaigners and candidates stationed outside the polling place.

• There’s no limit to the number of campaigners allowed outside the polling place.
• You cannot hinder or delay a person from entering or exiting a polling place.
• Loudspeakers can’t be used within 300 feet of any polling place
• Campaign material, including sample ballots, must be distributed outside the polling place, must contain a statement showing who paid for or authorized the printing
• Campaign posters or signs can’t be posted inside the prohibited area or polling place.
• Samples of any ballot can’t be printed on white or yellow paper and must contain the words “Sample Ballot.”

Authorized representatives inside the polling place:

• Must be a qualified Virginia voter
• Must show to the chief officer of election a “letter of authorization” signed by the independent or primary candidate or party chair entitled to representation if list of reps are not previously provided. A copy of the signed letter of authorization is acceptable.
• No campaigning is permitted by anyone inside the polling place without electoral board exception.
• Cannot hinder or delay any officer of election or voter.
• Can’t site at the check-in table with an officer of election.
• May create and mark their own list of voters.
• Cannot help any voter.
• Officers of election have the authority to remove any rep who does not follow these guidelines.