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Supreme Court decision could affect ND's law restricting politics at voting sites

A case now before the US Supreme Court could make a difference in some of North Dakota’s election laws.

The case is from Minnesota. A voter was not allowed to cast a ballot in a polling place because he wore a political button saying, “Please ID Me” – and a Tea Party T-shirt. The Minnesota law does not allow political symbols in polling places.

North Dakota’s law is similar to Minnesota’s.

"In state law, no individual can wear a political badge, button or other insignia within a polling place or within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place," said North Dakota director of elections John Arnold.

Arnold said when he was working in local precincts, he can remember a few times where the law came into play.

"I remember some people coming in that supported a candidate, and had that candidate's t-shirt on," Arnold said. "We asked them politely to turn their shirts inside out, or zip up their coats, and they did that."

Arnold said it happens from time to time.

"It hasn't been an issue in North Dakota," Arnold said.

Arnold said he is keeping an eye on the Supreme Court case – because if the Minnesota law is found unconstitutional, it would affect North Dakota’s law.

An appeals court sided wit the state of Minnesota.

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