Opinion ID: 770321
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Loretta Page

Text: 72 Loretta Page was a candidate for Alderman in the 1996 election. She came into the polling place several times, to assist two voters who had asked her help, and to check on the number of votes. Tr. 315-16, 202. Late in the afternoon, Dixie Carlson told her that she could not come into the polling place again. Tr. 316-17. There was evidence that a white candidate, J.B. Cole, had been in the polling place continuously on one occasion for 20 or 25 minutes without hindrance. Ms. Freeman and Ms. Carlson told Ms. Page that she could stick her head in to check the vote, but then had to leave, and had to remain more than 100 feet from the polling place. Tr. 169. There was evidence that Mr. Cole was passing out leaflets at the front door of the polling place, within the 100-foot zone, on at least one occasion. Tr. 248, 300. 73 Arkansas law prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place. Ms. Page was allowed to enter the polling place to help other voters who specifically requested her assistance, and also, from time to time, to check on the number of votes. Apparently Ms. Freeman and Ms. Carlson considered the mere presence of a candidate within the polling place, for no particular purpose, to be electioneering. We think this understanding, though arguably erroneous, was reasonable. Crawfordsville is a small town. Many voters would know Ms. Page, and might be intimidated or made to feel awkward by her presence in the polling place. The District Court's finding that no racial discrimination occurred with respect to Ms. Page is not clearly erroneous.