The Ellis County Press: Campaign group violates state law

Campaign group violates state law
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Megan Gray on 05/12/2011 13:24:00


FERRIS -  The “Elect Micheal Driggars” facebook group has apparently
violated state law according to city officials.
State code prohibits certain devices within 100 feet of the polling location.
Plastered in Ferris City Hall, where early voting for council elections took
place, the signage stated the following: Persons are not allowed to use a
wireless communications device within 100-feet of the voting stations.
Additionally, persons are not allowed to use a mechanical or electronic device
to record sound or images within 100-feet of the voting stations. Said devices
include but are not limited to cell phones, digital phones, cameras, phone
cameras and sound recorders. A voting station is the area where the voter marks
the ballot.
Elaine Yvette Poole Ragland, posted a picture with her iPhone Friday, May 6, on
the “Elect Micheal Driggars” facebook page depicting a shaded in ballot with
a vote for Driggars, violating state code.
According to facebook postings, Ragland is the mother of Dana Ragland,
girlfriend of Driggars and admin of the page.
“After the official election judge was notified of the violation, the State
election office was called and informed of the infraction,” said City Manager
Eric Strong.
According to Strong, the state election office said, “although it is a
violation, they are not likely to do anything about it at this time.”
Driggars is running for the  Place 3 seat against Incumbent Bill Pardue.
Election Day is Saturday, May 14 and anyone wishing to vote in Ferris city and
school board races can do so at the Ferris Independent School Board
Administration Building located at 303 E 5th Street from 7 a.m. -7 p.m.