Right-to-know group opposes Pa. poll-access limits

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Right-to-know advocates today endorsed a Pittsburgh newspaper’s federal lawsuit seeking to overturn a law it says violates the right of reporters and photographers to cover Election Day activity at Pennsylvania polling places.

The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition, which includes The Associated Press, urged newspapers to editorialize in support of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in its suit against the top elections officials in Allegheny County and the state government.

The Post-Gazette last month filed suit in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh over a provision in the state Election Code that says no one but people officially connected to the balloting may come within 10 feet of a polling place.

It seeks to have the law declared unconstitutional and requests a court order barring officials from interfering with its reporters’ and photographers’ First Amendment right to gather news.

Ernie Schreiber, treasurer of the right-to-know coalition, said the “outdated and ill-conceived” law is seldom enforced.

“A court decision in Allegheny County’s favor would give election officials across Pennsylvania the legal basis to shut down access to what has long been an observable public proceeding,” Schreiber said.