Operators of a Philadelphia polling place have been ordered by a
judge to cover up a mural of President Obama that is emblazoned on a
wall behind the voting machines.
The mural was being covered by voter instruction posters -- after Republicans voiced concerns that the painting could influence voters.
The mural, apparently at a school being used as a polling site in Ward 35, contained the words "change!" and "hope," along with a quote from the president and painting of him.
Republicans quickly drew attention to the image Tuesday morning, with one Mitt Romney spokesman tweeting: "Voters in Philly's Ward 35 are being forced to cast their ballots next to this."
"It is an absolute disgrace," said Shannon Royer, deputy secretary for external affairs and elections in Pennsylvania. "Election materials and electioneering inside the polling place are prohibited by state law. This can be interpreted as trying to influence voters inside the polling place. I am told discussions are going on now about covering the mural."
Pennsylvania election law states "no person within a polling place may electioneer or solicit votes for any political party, political body, or candidate, nor may any unauthorized written or printed materials be posted within the polling place."
It was one of several controversies surfacing in Pennsylvania's largest city on Election Day.
A Pennsylvania judge also issued an order Tuesday to reinstate Republican election officials across Philadelphia who allegedly were ejected or refused entry by on-site Democratic voting chief judges.
The mural was being covered by voter instruction posters -- after Republicans voiced concerns that the painting could influence voters.
The mural, apparently at a school being used as a polling site in Ward 35, contained the words "change!" and "hope," along with a quote from the president and painting of him.
Republicans quickly drew attention to the image Tuesday morning, with one Mitt Romney spokesman tweeting: "Voters in Philly's Ward 35 are being forced to cast their ballots next to this."
"It is an absolute disgrace," said Shannon Royer, deputy secretary for external affairs and elections in Pennsylvania. "Election materials and electioneering inside the polling place are prohibited by state law. This can be interpreted as trying to influence voters inside the polling place. I am told discussions are going on now about covering the mural."
Pennsylvania election law states "no person within a polling place may electioneer or solicit votes for any political party, political body, or candidate, nor may any unauthorized written or printed materials be posted within the polling place."
It was one of several controversies surfacing in Pennsylvania's largest city on Election Day.
A Pennsylvania judge also issued an order Tuesday to reinstate Republican election officials across Philadelphia who allegedly were ejected or refused entry by on-site Democratic voting chief judges.
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