Kern County Limits Filming Near Polls

County media guidelines restrict recording within 100 feet of poll sites and ballot drop boxes, drawing objections from media groups.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections

Live Poll

Should local election offices be allowed to restrict journalists filming near polling places?

Kern County's election office issued media guidelines on October 27 prohibiting filming within 100 feet of poll sites and ballot drop boxes. A media coalition and the First Amendment Coalition have sent letters challenging the restrictions as inconsistent with state law and the First Amendment.

Why it matters

The restrictions affect how journalists can document voting in California, a state where counties have reiterated similar limits following secretary of state guidance. Election Day is Tuesday, so the rules will apply during voting.

Kern County's updated October 30 guidelines require media to conduct interviews at least 25 feet from a polling site entrance, citing a state statute that applies only to exit polling. The First Amendment Coalition has identified at least nine other counties, including Alameda, Los Angeles and Santa Clara, with similar restrictions, though the secretary of state's response remains pending.

The players

First Amendment Coalition

A California-based nonprofit legal advocacy organization that works to protect free speech, free press and open government rights, and that identified the similar restrictions in multiple counties.

CalMatters

A nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism outlet focused on California state government and policy, which joined other media groups in sending letters to Kern County officials.

The details

Kern County clarified on October 30 that outlets cannot film voters dropping off ballots if the voter feels intimidated. The county's restrictions reiterate California secretary of state notices and poll worker training standards, which prohibit electioneering and photographing or recording voters entering or exiting a polling place without permission.

October 27: Kern County issues initial media guidelines restricting filming near polls.
October 30: Kern County issues updated guidelines on filming voters and interviews.
Tuesday: Election Day, with the media restrictions in effect.

Political Context

Media coalitions and the First Amendment Coalition argue the county restrictions conflict with state law and the First Amendment, while counties point to the secretary of state's electioneering and voter-privacy guidance. The 25-foot interview rule cites a statute that governs only exit polling, a point critics are likely to press.

Journalists and members of the public filming near polling places in Kern County face the 100-foot filming restriction and the 25-foot interview requirement on Election Day. Media seeking interviews must stay at least 25 feet from the polling entrance, and outlets cannot film voters dropping off ballots if those voters feel intimidated.

The takeaway

Voters and reporters in California should check their county's current media rules before heading to a polling site, since local guidance can differ from state guidance.