Let the NC State Board of Elections know your opinion on early vote signage

I sent the following email to the NC State  Board of Elections tonight in response to this: ftp://alt.ncsbe.gov/Rulemaking/public_comment_08_NCAC_17_0106.pdf

Previous post: http://makeitcountnc.blogspot.com/2015/11/is-85-x-11-sign-large-enough-oh.html

The deadline for submission of comments is tomorrow. Take some time tonight or tomorrow to respond. The vote you save might just be your own.

"I have several concerns about the proposed rules on signage.

1)*SIZE* I created a sign using the 8.5 inch by 11 inch parameters in the rules. It's not large enough for a sign that might affect a citizen's participation in the election.

While I realize the proposed rules say "at least" 8.5 by 11, I don't want local elections boards interpreting sign size. I believe that some will choose the smallest signs possible.

I would like the minimum size stipulation changed so that the font size can be doubled: 56 pt for the main message, 28 pt for the secondary message.

2)*LOCATION* I request that signs be required on both sides of the approach to the entrance of the polling site, and in TWO locations viewable to the voter as they approach the check-in table, again, on both sides of the line.

I don't think it's too much to ask that we maximize our efforts in regard to signage that might affect a citizen's participation in the election.

3)*HEIGHT* The proposed rules do not mention height. Sign height is critical to sign effectiveness. I request that the proposed rules require the best possible height for all signage. The United States Sign Council can probably make a recommendation: http://www.ussc.org/

4)*CITIZEN INPUT IS A GOOD THING* I'm glad you asked for citizen input. That's responsible governance. I would like to see you ask for citizen input on other issues as well, or at least the same willingness to post your policies online. For example, how elections officials interpret "reasonable impediment" will affect far more voters than these rules on signage. But I see no mention of citizen input on those rules, or how they will be interpreted.

I request that you open up more aspects of the elections process to citizen comment.

Yours in democracy,

Kevin Farmer
Clemmons, NC"