Officials warn voters to not wear political gear to polls

SMITH COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, Smith County election officials are reminding voters to leave their campaign gear at home when they head to the voting booth. The Texas election code is clear, stating a person can not wear political gear when heading to vote. The law prohibits political shirts, hats, signs or other campaign gear in a 100-foot area around polling stations. It’s a crime called electioneering. The any clothing worn can’t express preference for any candidate, measure or political party.

In the first week of early voting, Smith County poll workers said they saw a lot of people wearing political shirts and caps when they showed up to vote. Smith County voter, Craig Pearson believes people should wear what they want to the polls. “I don’t feel that’s right. I don’t think it is. What are they afraid of, that they’re going to actually see an opposing opinion? Not everybody’s the same, the world’s different,” said Craig Pearson, Smith County voter.

In San Antonio, things turned violent over the weekend.

A man is now facing felony charges for assaulting a 69-year-old poll worker when he asked to take off his hat.

Although Pearson doesn’t agree with the law, he said the incident was taken too far.
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“It’s unjustifiable. He shouldn’t be punching somebody just because they have an opinion or if they’re trying to uphold the law, even if it is a wrong law,” said Pearson.