Federal Judge Rules Connecticut Voters Can Wear WWE Garb To Polls

HARTFORD, Conn. — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Connecticut's top election official to allow voters to wear World Wrestling Entertainment garb to the polls, ruling that it could not be considered political advertising for Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon, the company's former CEO.

U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton issued a stipulated order requiring Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz not to apply state election laws that restrict political advertising within 75 feet of polling places to the wrestling fans who wear WWE clothing, paraphernalia or merchandise on Tuesday.

Vince McMahon, the CEO of WWE and Linda McMahon's husband, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to stop local election workers from asking WWE fans to cover up their wrestling apparel at the polls.

He accused Bysiewicz, a Democrat, of violating voters' free speech rights when her spokesman said such items could be construed as political given Linda McMahon's candidacy.

But Bysiewicz has said her office's position had been misunderstood. She issued a memo to local registrars of voters clarifying how only clothing or other items that solicit for or against a candidate or ballot question should be prohibited.

State election law prevents political advertising within 75 feet of the polls. Arterton said in her ruling that any clothing, paraphernalia or merchandise that actually bears the name, likeness or campaign logo of any candidate will still be restricted.

Vince McMahon praised the judge's decision, which she ordered to be disseminated to the local registrars and poll workers no later than 72 hours before the election.

"I am pleased that Connecticut voters have had their freedom of expression to wear WWE merchandise and their right to vote restored," he said.

Bysiewicz also praised the ruling.

"Vince McMahon was trying to make an issue where there wasn't one. So the lawsuit didn't have traction because it didn't have a legal basis," Bysiewicz said. "So I am happy that this issue is cleared up so we can just move on with a smooth election."

Linda McMahon stepped down as CEO last fall to run for Senate. WWE had been a hot topic in the race to fill the seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd, who is retiring. McMahon now trails Democrat Richard Blumenthal, the state's attorney general, by double digits, according to recent polls.

Vince McMahon has voiced concern about how his wrestling company has been portrayed throughout the Senate race. He recently launched an Internet-based public relations campaign dubbed "Stand up for WWE" to encourage fans to voice support for the company.

Comments

[AllenFromAtlanta]

11:02 AM on 11/02/2010

GOP and WWE

What a perfect marriage.

[b525]

02:10 PM on 11/01/2010

These wrestling shows, which degrade women and promote violence to women, should be banned from the airwaves until they can reform their content to not debase women and control rampant steroid use/abuse among wrestlers.

Where is the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in controlling this ANARCHIC mess.

The violence they promote is extremely damaging to the psyche of Americans.

Now the people who profit from the pornography and violence which is the WWE (Linda MacMahon) are attempting to get elected to our government !!!

I would rather watch REAL wrestling with Olympic athletes turned professional competing in the ACTUAL REAL sport of Olympic style wrestling.

WWE is nothing more than a platform for public pornography and the degradation of women. As well as a display of freaks grown to absurd size by abusing multiple steroids and growth hormones obtained illegally.
Where is the DEA in all this mess?

We in the U.S. should be ashamed of this display of violence towards women and the degradation of the human body through drugs abuse and sexual exploitation. We should be roundly condemned for beaming this violence and degradation of women via satellite TO THE WHOLE WORLD..

The U.S. airwaves are in a state of ANARCHY AND REBELLION for which Americans are, and will, pay a heavy, heavy price if nothing is done to bring this pornographic ORGY of violence and disrespect under control.

This is what happens when the MERCHANTS gain the upper hand over democratic government.(the people).

[Swiftlearner]

09:54 AM on 10/29/2010

In the spirit of no advertisement, we should make sure everybody cover their faces at the voting station so that nobody know if it is a white or black person votes.

[Cinnamonape]

07:19 PM on 10/28/2010

Vince MacMahon has just announced that he will give away FREE WWE clothing and other items at the polling places to "celebrate his victory".

One has to think that this was his intent all along.

But I would suggest that would be a clear violation of 42USC 1973i(c) that forbids any material inducement to vote, or not vote. If Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's cannot "reward" generic voters - far off site- from the polling place for exhibiting a simple "I voted" sticker...then I would say that this action is beyond the pale.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a8bS.1Ka57d0&refer=us

I think any court would see that offering clothing (which ihas substantial value) at the polling place which would induce certain groups of people to the polls, would be an illegal inducement.

[SteveDenver]

09:09 AM on 10/28/2010

Just remember Voters: With Linda McMahon you also get Vince, who is grotesque and reprehensible.

[tagtron]

09:07 AM on 10/28/2010

I'm afraid this is both an omen and a sad commentary on the current status of both our political system and our low-info electorate, when Wrestling fans come to the polls in garb announcing their interest in wrestling and their support of one who sells that product for such high office. How much more dumbing down can the system take?

[jesssilver]

12:50 PM on 10/28/2010

You've seen the movie Idiocracy, right?

[tagtron]

04:53 AM on 10/29/2010

No, but after reading the blurb, I've just added it to my queue. Sounds prescient

[softvoice]

08:36 AM on 10/28/2010

Now we have supporters of candidates dressing up as though it were halloween, as they go to the polls. It is obvious advertisement for Linda McMahon and any fool can see that. Thinking that grown people run around in such garb is already silly enough but to do it at the polling station is an obvious campaign statement within 75 feet of the voting booth and that should be unacceptable.

[tagtron]

09:10 AM on 10/28/2010

Amen. If the politicians are unwilling to provide measures which would strengthen our educational system, and therefore produce a more educated electorate, then I am afraid it's tie to resort to the administration of some sort of unbiased literacy test in order to qualify as a voter. And just think, the TeaBaggers want to abolish the Dept. of Education!!!!

[MaryKayMan]

08:44 PM on 10/27/2010

Does this mean that I can wear my Batman suit to the polls!? (YYYYES!)

Can we go naked?

If they can't wear burka's in France then we should be able to go naked if we want to!

[Supersteel]

05:24 PM on 10/27/2010

This was pure silliness to think you could stop someone from wearing a WWE shirt at the polls. This decision was obvious from the start.

[Cinnamonape]

07:20 PM on 10/28/2010

But that wasn't what the intent of the regulation was for.

[DudleysPa]

05:19 PM on 10/27/2010

So...my "WWE Fans are Gullible Morons" t-shirt will be OK?

[Carolyn Ervette Powell]

05:01 PM on 10/27/2010

Cool Judge, in my house the Undertaker rules

[O K Ali]

04:34 PM on 10/27/2010

Honestly, if you haven't made up your mind by the time you get out of the car at the polling station, why are you voting?

[wdw505]

08:23 AM on 10/28/2010

agreed

[CaliTLC]

04:32 PM on 10/27/2010

Really? I came to this thread to get a break from Meg Whitman's face. What do I find - her advertisement in the MIDDLE of the freaking page. CAN'T WAIT for next Tuesday.

[wdw505]

08:23 AM on 10/28/2010

too funny

[jennysez]

04:31 PM on 10/27/2010

What about t shirts that show the scene when her daughter got on all fours and barked like a dog, can they wear that to the polls?

[wdw505]

08:23 AM on 10/28/2010

yes

[Dave Hanson]

04:28 PM on 10/27/2010

I don't see why it should be a big deal. Nobody tried to ban Heinz ketchup bottles from polling places when John Kerry ran for President in 2004. At least not that I'm aware of :)