Here's what not to wear while voting at the polls

SAN ANTONIO – At the end of last week a man was arrested for allegedly punched a poll worker who asked him to take off his Make America Great Again hat while at the polls.

Texas law prohibits voters from wearing clothing or accessories that support or oppose a specific candidate, party or measure within 100 feet of a polling place.

The electioneering violation is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500.

Voters cannot wear these items while involved in the campaign:

Hats
Shirts
Buttons/pins
Masks
To draw

If a voter forgets and wears a campaign shirt, they will be asked to turn it inside out or they may be denied entry.

KSAT wanted to know if voters knew the details of the law, and at a polling place in San Antonio, voters of all ages gave mixed answers.

“I recently became aware that we are not allowed to wear any political gear or anything like that,” Anthony Rogers said.

Others knew about verbal campaigns, but not about the clothing.

“I just saw the news broadcasts and heard about it this year. But I knew you couldn’t advertise for a specific candidate, and for a long time you couldn’t get within 100 feet,” said Albert P. Pena.

Other voters were fully informed.

“I was sure about it. I think I’ve actually known it for as long as I’ve been able to vote,” said voter Cayley Rutherford-Olson.

Regardless of political party, these voters all agreed on the importance of these rules.

“I think it’s critical to our democracy,” Rogers said.

“I feel like no one should feel pressured in any way when they come to make their decision,” Rutherford-Olson said.

“That person has the right to choose whoever he or she wants without much influence,” Pena said.

The suggestion is to brush up on all the rules before heading to the polls as once people show up at the venue they will need to switch off their phones.

Other rules to know:

Although concealed carry is legal in Texas, voters are not allowed to bring their weapons within 100 feet of polling places.
No loudspeakers or sound amplification of political/campaign speeches or promotion (including loud noises from vehicles) may be used within a radius of 300 metres.

One of the most important voters on Election Day can and should proudly wear the “I Voted” sticker.

The Website of the State Secretary has an overview of voting protocols.

You can also visit KSAT’s Vote 2024 pagerenewed daily with new election-related articles.