Eleanor Finch
Political campaigns in Minnesota are governed by a set of laws and regulations, including those on fair campaign practices, the use of campaign materials, and the role of corporations and political subdivisions. While these laws outline various restrictions on campaigning activities, they do not specifically prohibit the sale of buttons by political campaigns. However, it is important to note that the sale of campaign buttons may still be subject to other regulations, such as those related to campaign finance and the disclosure of financial information. Additionally, the state of Minnesota has laws in place regarding the display and distribution of campaign materials, including buttons, near polling places during voting hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political campaigning | Not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place or on the same property |
| Campaign materials | Cannot be worn or displayed within 100 feet of a polling place |
| Polling place access | Restricted to voters and their minor children, poll workers, and those assisting voters |
| Voter information | Registered Minnesota voters can access voter lists, absentee ballot application lists, and accepted absentee ballot lists |
| Campaign signs | Local jurisdictions may restrict the number and size of signs, but restrictions cannot be enforced in even years before and after election day |
| Campaign finance | Candidates and campaigns must disclose information about money raised and spent, with federal candidates following federal laws |
| Fair Campaign Practices | All candidates, campaigns, and committees must adhere to Minnesota's laws, with violations reported to the Office of Administrative Hearings |
| Political contributions | Corporations can promote or defeat ballot questions and express views on public issues but cannot contribute to candidates or committees |
| Political activity | State employees or officials cannot use authority to compel political membership or activity, and political subdivisions cannot impose additional limitations |
| Candidate qualifications | Candidates convicted of specific violations are disqualified from filling vacancies for a fixed period |
| Campaign button sales | Websites such as CampaignButtons.com buy and sell historic campaign buttons and memorabilia |
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What You'll Learn
- Minnesota Statutes prohibit campaigning or displaying political materials inside polling places or within 100 feet of the building
- Minnesota's laws on Fair Campaign Practices must be followed by all candidates, campaigns, and committees
- Campaign buttons can be sold to collectors of historical memorabilia, especially if they are from the late 1800s to the mid-1950s
- Minnesota Statutes prohibit voters from showing their marked ballots to others or taking photographs of them
- Minnesota Statutes prohibit certain contributions and expenditures by corporations to promote or defeat a candidate or political party
Minnesota Statutes prohibit campaigning or displaying political materials inside polling places or within 100 feet of the building
Minnesota has strict laws in place to ensure that polling places remain free from political influence. Minnesota Statutes 204C.06 prohibits campaigning or displaying political materials inside polling places or within 100 feet of the building. This includes the wearing of campaign t-shirts, buttons, or literature relating to specific candidates, official political parties, or ballot questions on the day. The statute also prohibits people from gathering or lingering within this 100-foot zone, ensuring that voters are not subjected to any form of campaigning when entering or exiting the polling place.
The right to vote without influence is a key principle of Minnesota's election laws. This means that no one can campaign inside the polling place or within the immediate vicinity. If the polling place is on public property, campaigning is prohibited anywhere on that property, even beyond the 100-foot radius. However, this restriction does not apply to adjacent private property, where campaigning and the display of political materials are permitted.
Minnesota Statutes also address other aspects of the voting process to maintain the integrity of elections. For example, Minnesota Statutes 204C.17 and 204C.18 prohibit voters from showing their marked ballots to others, which includes taking photographs or videos of marked ballots. These laws protect voter privacy and ensure that voters cannot be pressured or influenced by others after casting their vote.
Additionally, Minnesota law prohibits false claims or implications that a candidate or ballot question has the endorsement of a major political party without written permission. It is also unlawful for a person or candidate to use the term "reelect" in a campaign unless they are the incumbent of that office and the office represents any part of the new district in the event of redistricting. These measures aim to provide transparency and prevent voters from being misled during election campaigns.
Overall, Minnesota's statutes regarding campaigning and polling places aim to create a neutral voting environment, free from coercion or influence, thus ensuring that voters can cast their ballots without interference and maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
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Minnesota's laws on Fair Campaign Practices must be followed by all candidates, campaigns, and committees
Minnesota has strict laws on Fair Campaign Practices that must be adhered to by all candidates, campaigns, and committees. These laws are in place to ensure fair and transparent elections and to prevent any unethical or illegal behaviour that could influence the outcome of an election.
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is the body responsible for handling violations of Minnesota's Fair Campaign Practices. The OAH website provides information on how to file a complaint, as well as an archive of past decisions for reference. Candidates, campaigns, and committees are all subject to these laws, which cover a range of topics, including campaign materials, fundraising, and interactions with voters.
One important area of focus for Minnesota's Fair Campaign Practices is the accuracy of campaign materials. It is unlawful for a candidate or any other individual to make false claims or imply that a candidate has the endorsement of a political party or organisation without written permission. This extends to written campaign materials, where it is illegal to state that a candidate has the support of an individual without their written consent.
Additionally, Minnesota law prohibits certain contributions and expenditures by corporations. Corporations are prohibited from making contributions to candidates for nomination, election, or appointment to a political office or to committees organised to promote or defeat a candidate. This includes expenditures to promote or defeat the candidacy of an individual for nomination, election, or appointment to a public office.
Another key aspect of Minnesota's Fair Campaign Practices is the protection of voters' rights. It is illegal to deny candidates access to certain residential areas for campaigning purposes, and voters have the right to vote without anyone at the polling place trying to influence their vote. Campaigning and the display of political materials are prohibited within 100 feet of the polling place, and voters are not allowed to show their marked ballots to others or take photographs of them.
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Campaign buttons can be sold to collectors of historical memorabilia, especially if they are from the late 1800s to the mid-1950s
Campaign buttons are pieces of campaign memorabilia. These small metal disks traditionally featured a portrait of a presidential candidate, but they later began to feature text, graphics, and slogans as well. These buttons allowed citizens to show their support for their chosen candidate and express their opinions on other political issues. While political buttons are not as popular in today's elections, older ones can be valuable to collectors of historical memorabilia.
Collectors of historical memorabilia are often interested in campaign buttons, especially those from the late 1800s to the mid-1950s. The age of the button is a significant factor in its value, with vintage buttons tending to be more valuable than newer ones. The earliest types of campaign buttons, such as ferrotype/tintype buttons, can be worth thousands of dollars. For example, a George Washington inaugural button, similar to the ones featured in the film National Treasure, sold for $225,000 at auction in 2018. Another example is a Lincoln-Johnson 1864 jugate pin in great condition, which sold for $47,800.
Campaign buttons that are related to significant historical events also tend to be more valuable. For instance, buttons from the McKinley-Roosevelt and Kennedy-Humphrey campaigns are worth more due to the assassinations associated with these names. Additionally, scarcity plays a significant role in determining a button's value. The rarer a button is, the more valuable it tends to be.
There are several avenues for selling campaign buttons to collectors of historical memorabilia. Virtual auction sites, such as eBay, are a convenient option. Some websites, such as PresidentialElection.com, Loriferber.com, and CampaignButtons.com, specialize in buying and selling campaign artifacts. Selling to reputable political artifact dealers can also help ensure that the seller receives the authentic value of their buttons. However, selling directly to a collector may bring in a greater profit.
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Minnesota Statutes prohibit voters from showing their marked ballots to others or taking photographs of them
Minnesota Statutes 204C.17 and 204C.18 prohibit voters from showing their marked ballots to others or taking photographs of them. This is to ensure that voters' rights to privacy are protected, as well as to prevent any potential influence or pressure on voters' choices. The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office discourages the practice of taking photos or videos in the polling place, as it could compromise voters' privacy and lead to disruptions.
While there is no explicit law prohibiting voters from taking pictures or videos of their own ballots in Minnesota, the Secretary of State's office advises against it. This is because it could violate the prohibition of showing marked ballots to others and because of the potential for disruption in crowded polling places.
It is worth noting that the laws regarding ballot selfies vary across different states in the US. While some states, like Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, allow ballot selfies, others, like Florida, Alabama, and Alaska, have laws or policies in place prohibiting them. Some states, like New Jersey and New Mexico, have laws against showing marked ballots to others, but are considering legislative changes to allow ballot selfies.
In the context of political campaigns, Minnesota Statutes also prohibit certain activities. For example, campaigning is not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place, and political materials, such as buttons or literature related to specific candidates or parties, cannot be worn or displayed. Additionally, it is unlawful for a person or candidate to make false claims about endorsements or support from political parties or organizations. Corporations are also prohibited from making certain political contributions or expenditures.
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Minnesota Statutes prohibit certain contributions and expenditures by corporations to promote or defeat a candidate or political party
Minnesota has strict laws regarding corporate political contributions and expenditures. MN Stat § 211B.15 prohibits corporations from making contributions or expenditures to promote or defeat a candidate or political party. This includes direct or indirect contributions of money, property, or services to a political party, organisation, committee, or individual.
The statute also prohibits foreign-influenced corporations from making contributions or donations to any person or entity with the express or implied condition that they be used for prohibited purposes. However, it is important to note that this does not prohibit corporations from encouraging individuals to participate in precinct caucuses, register, or vote, as long as it is not controlled by or operated for the advantage of a candidate, political party, or committee.
Additionally, any solicitation of political contributions by an employee must be in writing, informational, and nonpartisan. It should not promote any particular candidate or group of candidates and must include specific statements regarding the confidentiality of the employee's response and that their employment will not be affected.
Minnesota Statutes also prohibit certain activities on election day and within polling places. For example, campaigning and displaying campaign materials, such as buttons, relating to specific candidates or ballot questions are not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place during voting hours.
Furthermore, it is unlawful for a person or candidate to make false claims stating or implying that a candidate or ballot question has the support of a major political party without written permission. Offering rewards to induce someone to become or refrain from being a candidate is also prohibited.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can sell your political campaign buttons in Minnesota. Websites such as CampaignButtons.com are in the business of buying and selling campaign buttons.
Websites like CampaignButtons.com are looking for buttons that are of historical interest. They are looking for buttons from the late 1800s to the mid-1950s eras of presidential campaigning.
First, take pictures of your collection. Then, send the pictures to the website's email address, along with your name, address, and phone number. The website will then get back to you with an offer or an explanation of why they cannot make an offer.
