§ 1-20-17 — Obstructing the polling place

A. Obstructing the polling place consists of a person other than an authorized individual approaching nearer than fifty feet from the door through which voters may enter to vote at a polling place or a person who willfully blocks access to a monitored secured container or the entrance to a polling place so as to prevent free ingress and egress. B. A person conducting lawful, non-election-related business nearer than fifty feet from the door through which voters may enter to vote is not guilty of obstructing a polling place, provided the person does not willfully block access to a monitored secured container or the entrance to the polling place. C. As used in this section, "authorized individual" means an individual who is not electioneering and who is: (1) a voter offering to vote; (2) a member of the election board; (3) a lawfully appointed watcher, challenger or election observer; (4) an individual giving assistance to a specific person offering to vote; (5) an election official or contractor having business in the polling place; (6) an attorney representing the county or state, a political party or a candidate having business in the polling place; or (7) a language translator where required by federal law. D. Whoever obstructs the polling place is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

Legislative History

1953 Comp., § 3-20-15, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 240, § 441; 2011, ch. 137, § 105;