Assistance in Voting

Definition

“[A]ssistance in physically marking the official ballot for a voter, or reading or directing the voter's attention to any part of the official ba llot, or physically operating the voting machine.” W. Va. Code §3-4-12. Because of ballot secrecy requirements and the need to avoid coercion, assistance is permitted only under limited circumstan ces. “A voter shall not receive assistance in voting unless he is unable to read, or is unable to vote without assistance because of a physical handicap, including blindness.” La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §18:564(A). even if a voter is entitled to assistance, certain person are forbidden to assist: “(1) No candidate in any election shall assist any voter in casting his ballot in that election. (2) No commissioner-in-charge can assist a voter. (3) No employer or employer's ag ent can assist an employee in voting. (4) No union agent can assist a union member in voting.” La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §18:564(B).