It’s common to see police officers assigned to polling places. What can they do and not do while on duty?
A report from The Enterprise clarified that police officers are prohibited from campaigning or influencing how people vote, and they must not pressure voters to reveal their choices. A 2024 advisory from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts states the following: “The prohibition against interfering with a voter protects voters who are voting or on their way to vote, which means that it extends outside the 150-foot area around a voting location.”
As The Enterprise noted, police officers are detailed at polling places to prevent interference with voters and carry out any orders from the presiding officer at an election site. This statement is in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 54, Section 72…