Elections officials warn voters some political speech is not protected at the polls

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- As in-person voting ramps up, Fresno County officials are reminding voters astir strict laws against definite governmental speech.

Voters cannot advocator oregon show enactment for circumstantial candidates and ballot measures wrong a 100 feet of ballot centers oregon driblet boxes.

"Prohibited actions see vocal advocacy, wearing materials with candidates' names, likeness, oregon logo. The organisation of buttons, stickers, pens, oregon different materials containing electioneering information," Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters James Kus said.

Kus says his predetermination workers are prepared to enforce the law. They volition inquire voters to region oregon screen signs, shirts, and flags with campaigner names and logos.

However, determination are exceptions.

"Material that is not connected the existent ballot does not autumn nether this prohibition," Kus said. "Slogans bash not autumn nether this prohibition."

Officials accidental the instrumentality prevents elector intimidation, thing Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp says her bureau takes earnestly and could prosecute.

"It's not your First Amendment close to endanger people," Smittcamp said. "Additionally, intimidation of voters oregon interference with predetermination activities are crimes."

The anticipation of carnal threats oregon intimidation comes amid heightened governmental rhetoric that officials interest could boil over.

ABC News obtained documents the Department of Homeland Security's Intelligence Office sent instrumentality enforcement. Government officials accidental they are acrophobic the existent situation could pb to election-related violence.

"We are not alert of immoderate credible threats present successful Fresno County related to Tuesday's November 5th election," Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said.

Zanoni says his deputies would respond to imaginable Election Day threats astatine ballot centers and driblet boxes connected region property.

Federal officials are besides connected standby. The U.S. Attorney's Office has named a District Election Officer to oversee national complaints astir imaginable fraud and voting rights abuses.

"If an incidental that has national elements comes to the constabulary section oregon sheriff's department, we would notation that implicit to the U.S. Attorney's Office," Smittcamp said.

The District Attorney's Office has already received 1 referral of imaginable electioneering successful Fresno. However, officials accidental astir voters are respectful and cooperate with predetermination workers.