What you can and can't do and wear at polling locations
In the Lone Star State, it is illegal to wear, discuss, or bring anything relating to candidates, measures, or political parties within 100 feet of a polling place. However, folks are wondering if that applies to things from elections past.
AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — In the Lone Star State, it is illegal to wear, discuss or bring anything relating to candidates, measures, or political parties within 100 feet of a polling place. However, folks are wondering if that applies to things from elections past.
Amarillo’s general election is this weekend, with Tuesday being the final day for early voting, but before you head to the polls there's a list of do’s and don'ts and they all take effect within 100 feet.
"Yesterday this came front and center," said Melynn Huntley, Potter County Election Administrator.
According to Huntley, the application of Texas’ electioneering statute has been questioned: is political clothing okay if a candidate is not involved in that election?
"As a result of that both Randall County and Potter County, we talked to the Secretary Of State's office," said Huntley.
The answer was clear. Texas Election Code 61.003, acting like a forcefield against campaigns.
"Wearing something for Trump or Biden or Kennedy or Clinton or Reagan,” said Shannon Lackey, Randall County’s Election Administrator, “You're still walking into a polling place trying to make a statement of some sort, and that is simply not allowed.”
It’s also a Class C misdemeanor, according to Lackey. She adds it’s all to protect voters' rights and privacy.
Lackey said, “Your opinion can be shared outside that 100 ft mark as loud as you want."
But within that 100 feet, no election talk and no phone use.
You may bring in notes to make sure you’re making your intended selections, “but take it back out with you and you can't distribute it.”
Huntley adds, most commonly, electioneering is done by mistake.
"Most of the time we'll have someone who walks in and they don't even realize that they've put on their favorite hat or their favorite shirt,” said Huntley.
Officials said despite early voting coming to an end, they're still a lot of eligible ballots that need to be cast and Saturday is your last chance. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
