Pennsylvania Statutes § 3047 Peace officers; no police officer to be within one hundred feet of polling place, exceptions; presence of soldiers prohibited
Statute Text
The election officers, or any three qualified electors of any election district, may call upon any mayor, chief burgess, sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, deputy constable, or police officer, to clear an avenue to the door of any polling place which is obstructed in such a way as to prevent electors from approaching, or to maintain order and quell any disturbance, if such arises. No police officer in commission, whether in uniform or in citizen's clothes, shall be within one hundred feet of a polling place during the conduct of any primary or election, unless in the exercise of his privilege of voting, or for the purpose of serving warrants, or unless called upon to preserve the peace, as provided by this act: Provided, however, That such prohibition shall not apply to such police officers assigned to a police station or headquarters located in a building or on the premises where the polling place is located and such police officers must be within one hundred (100) feet of the polling place to enter and exit such police station or headquarters: And provided further, That in no event may any police officer unlawfully use or practice any intimidation, threats, force or violence nor, in any manner, unduly influence or overawe any elector or prevent him from voting or restrain his freedom of choice, nor may any such police officer electioneer or directly or indirectly attempt to influence the election or electors while within one hundred (100) feet of a polling place as herein set forth: And provided further, That where polling places are located in buildings or on premises where a police station or headquarters are located, the polling place shall be located in a separate room. No body of troops in the Army of the United States or of this Commonwealth shall be present, either armed or unarmed, at any place of election within this Commonwealth during the time of any primary or election: Provided, however, That no officer or soldier shall be prevented from exercising the right of suffrage in the election district in which he resides, if otherwise qualified.
History
1937, June 3, P.L. 1333, art. XII, § 1207. Amended 1939, May 17, P.L. 166, § 1; 1945, March 2, P.L. 17, § 1; 1949, April 20, P.L. 617, § 1; 1969, June 19, P.L. 83, No. 29, § 1, effective 1/1/1970 ; 1974, June 19, P.L. 366, No. 122, § 2, imd. effective; 1976 , July 1, P.L. 523, No. 124 , § 2 , imd. effective. Affected 2009 , Oct. 9, P.L. 494, No. 49 , §4(2)(xxix), effective in 60 days [ 12/8/2009 ]
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