As Election Day quickly approaches, voters will hear false information designed to intimidate and dissuade them from the polls.

Misleading reports were issued today saying that voters could not wear to the polls t-shirts, pins, hats and other clothing with Senator Barack Obama pictured on them. Some reports even claim that people won’t be able to vote if they wear Obama gear.

This is false.

State law bans campaigning in the voting booth and the nearby buffer zone of 25 to 50 feet around the polling place.

However, wearing a candidate t-shirt or button does not constitute campaigning. To avoid trouble, please do not interfere with other voters or actively campaign while at the polls.

“With so much at stake during this year’s historic election, it’s easy for false and misleading information to reach thousands of people,” said NCDP Chairman Jerry Meek. “More people will exercise their right to vote this year more than at any time in our state’s history.”

“We must balance enthusiasm with a healthy sense of skepticism,” Meek said. “If something doesn’t sound right, check it out with your local board of elections office or party headquarters."