§ 163-48. Maintenance of order at place of registration and voting.
Overview of Statute
Section authorizes the chief judge and judges of election to enforce peace and maintain good order at the place of registration and voting.
Statute
The chief judge and judges of election shall enforce peace and good order in and about the
place of registration and voting. They shall especially keep open and unobstructed the place at
which voters or persons seeking to register or vote have access to the place of registration and
voting. They shall prevent and stop improper practices and attempts to obstruct, intimidate, or
interfere with any person in registering or voting. They shall protect challenger and witnesses
against molestation and violence in the performance of their duties, and they may eject from the place of registration or voting any challenger or witness for violation of any provisions of the election laws. They shall prevent riots, violence, tumult, or disorder.
In the discharge of the duties prescribed in the preceding paragraph of this section, the chief
judge and judges may call upon the sheriff, the police, or other peace officers to aid them in
enforcing the law. They may order the arrest of any person violating any provision of the
election laws, but such arrest shall not prevent the person arrested from registering or voting if
he is entitled to do so. The sheriff, police officers, and other officers of the peace shall
immediately obey and aid in the enforcement of any lawful order made by the precinct election
officials in the enforcement of the election laws. The chief judge and judges of election of any
precinct, or any two of such election officials, shall have the authority to deputize any person or
persons as police officers to aid in maintaining order at the place of registration or voting.
(1901, c. 89, s. 72; Rev., s. 4376; C.S., s. 5977; 1955, c. 871, s. 4; 1967, c. 775, s. 1; 1993 (Reg.
Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 21; 2017-6, s. 3; S.L. 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
- Cross-References:
- Election Officials
1. Definition for Challenger
Challenger. – Any qualified voter registered in the same district as the office
for which the candidate has filed or petitioned.
2. Definition for made
A contribution is “made” during regular session if the check or other instrument is dated during the session, or if the check or other instrument is delivered to the limited contributee during session, or if the limited contributor pledges during the session to deliver the check or other instrument at a later time.
§ 163A-1426. Limitation on fund-raising during legislative session. (a) Definitions (4)
3. Definition for person
The term “person” means any business entity, corporation, insurance company, labor union, or professional association.
4. Definition for Office
(4) Office. – The elected office for which the candidate has filed or petitioned.
(2006-155, s. 1; 2006-259, s. 48(a); 2017-6, s. 3.)
5. Definition for election
The term “election” means any general or special election, a first or second primary, a run-off election, or an election to fill a vacancy. The term “election” shall not include any local or statewide referendum.
6. Definition for Election
“Election” means the event in which voters cast votes in ballot items concerning proposals or candidates for office in this State or the United States. The term includes primaries, general elections, referenda, and special elections.