GRAPEVINE - Voters, campaigners and the public will continue to co-mingle at the Community Activities Center during election periods.
After considering an idea to separate voters during the 12 days of early voting from those coming to work out in the CAC facilities, City Council members decided last week to allow voters to enter the building as usual during this spring's elections."It worked in the past, except perhaps this last year," said Mayor pro tem C. Shane Wilbanks. "Let's see if it improves itself."In November, Councilwoman Sharron Spencer said some people complained last May about aggressive campaigning during early voting by candidates or their representatives in the CAC parking lot. Spencer introduced an ordinance to limit such activity by declaring the entire CAC building and parking lot a no electioneering zone. That exceeded a state election law that prohibits campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place door.Spencer said some voters, including an 80-year-old woman, were confronted by people urging them to vote for particular candidates during early voting for the heated council race. In that election, in which one seat had a three-way race, 4,281 people voted early and 1,673 people voted on election day, according to the city secretary's office.Spencer was supported by Mayor William D. Tate who said people should not be "accosted" on their way to vote. He said that as a candidate, he would not approach someone for fear of causing that person to vote against him.Spencer's idea was tabled after some residents and other council members objected.The latest discussion centered on restricting voters to two side entrances of the CAC rather than the front door that is used by others. The two side entrances, one on the north and the other on the south, currently are used only for exits to ensure the facility's staff can monitor people entering the building.While the north entrance would open up into more lobby space for the election equipment, the south entrance has more parking nearby. That would allow for voter-designated parking spaces, some of which would be within 100 feet of the door. Tate said most people would park in front of the CAC anyway.Designating a certain door for voters "may discourage people from voting, which we don't want," Tate said, adding "maybe we've done some good by just talking about it."Spencer said her idea was to come up with a reasonable solution to protect everyone from aggressive campaigning."People coming to vote or work out, neither should be penalized by those who, for lack of a good term, don't have good judgment," she said.In other action, a resolution adopted by the City Council during the regular council session approved using the CAC for the May City Council election. Candidates for that election may start filing Feb. 6, with the last day to file set as March 5. Up for election this year will be the seats for mayor, currently held by Tate; Place 1, held by Wilbanks; and Place 2, held by Spencer.When filing with the city secretary to run for a mayor or a council seat, candidates will receive a packet of information regarding election procedures including rules on sign placement and reminders about electioneering. There will be a reminder that the "CAC is a multi-use facility and not everyone utilizing the parking lot is there to vote."Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
