Opinion ID: 770321
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Bernice Bates

Text: 74 Bernice Bates was a candidate. Tr. 446. She had served as an Alderman from 1991 to 1995. She helped five or ten people to vote, at their request, Tr. 461. According to Ms. Bates's testimony, she came in to help a voter and was asked to leave by Ms. Carlson, who took the position that Ms. Bates's mere presence in the polling place was electioneering. Tr. 169. There is a conflict in the evidence about whether Ms. Carlson grabbed Ms. Bates's arm, or merely touched her, Tr. 169, 743. 75 This claim seems somewhat stronger to us than that of Loretta Page, which we have just discussed. Ms. Bates had a specific right to be in the polling place for the purpose of helping any voter who had requested her assistance by name. Ms. Carlson's understanding that Ms. Bates was electioneering was incorrect. On the other hand, Ms. Bates was allowed to assist five or ten other voters, and Ms. Carlson testified that she did not intend to intimidate or harass Ms. Bates. Tr. 743. According to Ms. James, Ms. Bates created a disturbance after this incident occurred, and the police were called. Tr. 205. Although we have some doubts about the matter, we are not firmly convinced that the finding of the District Court was erroneous, and its finding with respect to this claim will therefore be affirmed.