Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?
Edward Smith updated website photo 2024
By Edward Smith
Published 4 hours ago on
November 5, 2024

A video shows Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) advocating for political candidates outside a polling place, something California law restricts. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A video from Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, D-Merced, shows her advocating for herself and the “first woman president” outside a polling place, which Fresno County Clerk James Kus said was something he’d prefer did not happen.

Soria posted the video on X, showing her voting inside and speaking outside the downtown Fresno elections office. In the video, she says this election is critical to vote for not only legislators like herself, but also for the Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said the video does not violate any laws.

Soria’s campaign did not return a request for comment in time for publication.

“This election is so critical not just so that we can elect people like myself to continue doing the great work in the state of California but we have the opportunity to make history in this election cycle by electing the first woman president,” Soria said in the video.

Video Does Not Violate Heart of Electioneering Law: DA

California election code outlines what is allowed within 100 feet of a polling place. People cannot advocate for or against measures or candidates or wear likenesses or logos. That also includes providing audible information.

While Soria’s statement could be construed as advocating for a candidate, it does not violate the heart of the law, Taylor Long, a spokeswoman for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, said in an email.

“The laws against electioneering are designed to prevent the harassment of people who are physically present at the polling place to cast their ballot,” Long said. “There is no evidence here that the Assemblywoman tried to interact with any of the people present inside 100 feet of the polling place.”

It’s also unlikely anyone heard what Soria said, she added.

Kus said candidates are prepped ahead of any videos they make. He said candidates regularly do videos and pictures.

But, Kus said, “I would prefer individuals should not advocate for a candidate, measure, or proposition within 100 (feet) of a voting location. Elections workers will ask anyone they see advocating for a candidate within 100 (feet) of a voting location to move outside the (100-foot) prohibition.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Different Faces, Different Voices, But the Same Goal: Exercising Democracy by Voting

DON'T MISS

Live Updates: Who Will Be President? AP Calls States for the Candidates

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Road Rage Incident Leads to Violent Assault, High-Speed Chase

DON'T MISS

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

DON'T MISS

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

DON'T MISS

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

DON'T MISS

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

DON'T MISS

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

DON'T MISS

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

DON'T MISS

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

UP NEXT

Live Updates: Who Will Be President? AP Calls States for the Candidates

UP NEXT

Fresno County Road Rage Incident Leads to Violent Assault, High-Speed Chase

UP NEXT

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

UP NEXT

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

UP NEXT

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

UP NEXT

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

UP NEXT

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

UP NEXT

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

UP NEXT

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

UP NEXT

These 8 Counties Could Hint at Where the Election Is Headed

Edward Smith,
Multimedia Journalist
Edward Smith began reporting for GV Wire in May 2023. His reporting career began at Fresno City College, graduating with an associate degree in journalism. After leaving school he spent the next six years with The Business Journal, doing research for the publication as well as covering the restaurant industry. Soon after, he took on real estate and agriculture beats, winning multiple awards at the local, state and national level. You can contact Edward at 559-440-8372 or at Edward.Smith@gvwire.com.

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

2 hours ago

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

3 hours ago

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

3 hours ago

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

4 hours ago

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

4 hours ago

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

5 hours ago

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

5 hours ago

These 8 Counties Could Hint at Where the Election Is Headed

5 hours ago

Israel’s Netanyahu Dismisses Defense Minister in Surprise Announcement

6 hours ago

Cryptocurrency Markets, Promoted by Trump, Brace for Election Volatility

6 hours ago

Different Faces, Different Voices, But the Same Goal: Exercising Democracy by Voting

They might not be able to agree on who should be elected president or whether the country is headed in the right or wrong direction, but the...

6 mins ago

6 mins ago

Different Faces, Different Voices, But the Same Goal: Exercising Democracy by Voting

7 mins ago

Live Updates: Who Will Be President? AP Calls States for the Candidates

A road rage incident in Fresno County escalated into a violent assault and a high-speed pursuit, resulting in the suspect's arrest and vehicle impoundment. (CHP)
2 hours ago

Fresno County Road Rage Incident Leads to Violent Assault, High-Speed Chase

2 hours ago

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

The wreckage left by Israeli airstrikes in Dahieh, a predominantly Shiite suburb of south Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday, Nov. 5 2024. (Daniel Berehulak /The New York Times)
3 hours ago

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
3 hours ago

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

4 hours ago

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

4 hours ago

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

Search

Send this to a friend