Officers would face limits on staying near Pennsylvania polling places

Law enforcement officers would face limits on approaching polling places, intimidating voters, and trying to influence their votes. The rules cover federal, state, and local officers and agents, including those from other states, and people legally authorized to investigate violations or make arrests. Officers could enter to vote, serve a warrant from a court of record or its judge, or answer a call to preserve peace under the election rules. Police officers assigned to a station at the polling site could enter the area when needed to reach or leave that station. Officers could not unlawfully intimidate voters or interfere with their choices. They could not campaign or try to influence votes within 100 feet. The provisions would take effect 60 days after enactment. The 100-foot presence rule applies during primaries and elections.

A person harmed by an officer convicted of violating the polling-place presence rule could sue that officer. The right to sue would cover people harmed by federal, state, or local law enforcement officers, including officers from other states and others legally authorized to investigate violations or make arrests. The officer must first be convicted of violating this section before the harmed person could use this right to sue. Recovery would cover actual losses, additional damages meant to punish wrongdoing, reasonable lawyer fees, and reasonably related litigation costs. An officer who violates the presence rule without an allowed exception would face a misdemeanor conviction, with up to a $500 fine, one year in jail, or both. The civil remedy and criminal penalty provisions would take effect 60 days after enactment.