Tea party apparel could mean fines, but some may risk it
A federal judge in Minneapolis has ruled that voters wearing apparel deemed political to the polls could risk prosecution and fines, including members of conservative groups who want to wear special buttons and clothing when they vote.
The North Star Tea Party Patriots is one of the groups affected by the ruling. It was part of a lawsuit seeking permission to wear the forbidden apparel to the polls, after some county officials had said it was off-limits. The apparel includes buttons that say "Please ID Me" and tea party t-shirts.
In the wake of the ruling against the group, the Tea Party Patriots of the Twin Cities sent out an email detailing the following three options for its members, as well as a request for volunteers to indeed wear the forbidden apparel at the risk of a fine:
1. Do not wear either the Button or Tea Party Clothing but Vote!!!
2. Wear the Button and Tea Party Clothing but remove it if asked, but Vote!!!!!
3. When asked to remove your Button or Tea Party Clothing. Refuse and Vote. They will ask for your name and address and you could be charged with a petty misdemeanor which could carry up to a $300 fine.
I need 5 volunteers to take option 3
.
The group is also seeking donations to the Minnesota Majority website to cover the $5,000 cost of the lawsuit.
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