Lyme Registrars Ban Photography in Polling Place

LYME, CT – The Lyme Registrars of Voters on Tuesday said no photography or recordings of any kind are allowed in the polling place at Lyme Town Hall. 

Democratic Registrar of Voters Dottie Wells, joined by Republican Registrar of Voters Judith Davies at the polls Tuesday afternoon, said she consulted town attorney Kristi Kelly of Suisman Shapiro for approval before posting signs announcing the new rule.

There was a sign on the interior entrance to the meeting room where voting is held, as well as one inside the meeting room over the section labeled “PRESS.” 

The sign says “No photography or recording of any kind is allowed in polling place.” 

Wells said the change was implemented to protect voter privacy and “make sure people aren’t feeling intimidated” by those taking photos. 

She said the registrars consulted First Selectwoman Christy Zelek in addition to the town attorney. 

She said the rule applies across the board so it’s “fair for everyone and the same for everyone.” 

“We decided that would be the best option for our polling location,” she said. 

Wells, a registrar for three years, said she’s heard during her tenure from people asking why people were taking photos. She said cell phone cameras make the issue more prevalent.

“We just wanted to have maximum protection for all our voters,” she said. 

She said people taking photos of their own ballots are included in the prohibition. 

Cindy Boynton, a spokeswoman for Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, said state law specifies members of the media can enter a polling place and take photographs and videos as long as they are not obstructing voting or infringing on anyone’s privacy.

She said individuals not with the press are discouraged from taking photographs of others because of privacy concerns. 

“You certainly don’t want to inadvertently take a photograph of someone else’s vote,” she said. “But you certainly can take a photograph of your own ballot.” 

Wells, asked about repercussions for people who refuse to comply, said “the right to remain in the polling location is contingent on them remaining in a manner that does not interfere with voters or voting.”

The polling location on Tuesday afternoon was being monitored by Lyme Constable John C.L. Evans, who Wells said also checked in periodically during the 14-day early voting period. State law authorizes constables to prevent certain activities and suppress disorder at elections. 

Wells said registrars have not yet discussed whether the rule will be in place for the Region 18 Board of Education special election scheduled for Nov. 10 at Lyme Consolidated School. The vote to fill a vacancy will be part of a Special Town Meeting for registered voters in Lyme. 

Unaffiliated First Selectwoman Christy Zelek on Tuesday evening said she heard about the rule from the registrars but didn’t know enough to speak about it. 

She said it was her understanding that the prohibition is in part a reaction to stories of First Amendment auditors who have come to nearby towns to film public officials as a way to test whether constitutional rights are being upheld. 

Registrars report to the Secretary of the State rather than the local Board of Selectmen, according to Zelek. She said she was not part of the conversation Wells had with the town attorney and did not see any guidance in writing. 

Republican Selectman Tom St. Louis on Tuesday evening said he was not familiar with the new prohibition and did not recall the change being brought to the Board of Selectpeople. 

He noted other security precautions, including surveillance cameras in the meeting room, were brought to selectmen in recent months and have been implemented.

He said he has not heard any complaints about photography, videography or other recordings. 

“It’s tough for me to comment at this point,” he said. “I’d like to understand what national and state regulations and guidelines are.” 

In May, Wells presented selectmen with a proposal to ban firearms at Lyme polling places. It was blocked after the selectpeople declined to move it to a town meeting later that month. About 20 people attended the roughly hour-long meeting, where opposition to the proposed restrictions drew a larger-than-usual crowd.

The gun ban proposal has not come back up for discussion. 

Editor’s Note: This report was updated to correct the affiliation of First Selectwoman Christy Zelek, who has always been unaffiliated.