Raleigh

I could probably keep my mouth shut and avoid criticism, but that is not my style. I don’t want what I am going to say to be viewed as carrying water for Democrats or being anti-free speech, but I think some perspective is appropriate here.
I went to the polls in 2020 wearing my “Make America Great Again” hat. I will admit that my “spidey sense” had already told me I could expect to have a problem wearing it, but I decided to wear it anyway. I was right. I was asked to take my hat back to my car before voting.
It is not uncommon for state laws to ban any outward display of partisanship within a specified number of feet from the building where votes are cast. The rule, which applies to all electioneering such as signage, rallies, etc., applies equally to all political parties, with the view being that the area where voting takes place should be as neutral as possible and as calm and unintimidating as possible.
Imagine having to pass through 20 or 30 neighbors in the precinct who were standing near the entrance to the poll and all of them were wearing Kamala Harris buttons and holding Kamala Harris signs. Can you spell “peer pressure?” Personally, if any of them encouraged me to vote for Harris, I would likely tell them to eff off. Some people, however, either as a result of subtle intimidation or a desire to “fit in” would be influenced,