HOUSTON — Early voting is underway across Texas for the Nov. 5 general and special elections. And while it’s not a social event, what you wear to the polls is important!
In Texas, you can’t wear clothing or a “similar communicative device” that has to do with a candidate, a measure or a political party, according to the Texas Secretary of State's Office. That applies even if the candidate or measure isn't in the election you're voting in.
If you don’t keep the candidate's clothing at home, an election judge can enforce the law within 100 feet of the voting location entrance. That means they can make you remove or cover up whatever it is you’re wearing if you get too close to the voting site.
Certain clothing isn’t the only thing not allowed when you vote. Under Texas law, you can’t use a wireless communication device within 100 feet of voting stations. You also can’t use a mechanical or electronic device to record sound or images within 100 feet.
The state also lists these devices as ones that shouldn’t be used when voting:
- Cell phones
- Cameras
- Tablet computers
- Laptop computers
- Sound recorders
- Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images.