EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Elections Department wants to remind voters ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, that the use of a cell phone and wearing apparel that advocates for a candidate, measure or political party are prohibited at polling stations.
Under Texas law, wireless communication devices that can record sound or images may not be used within 100 feet of a voting station at a polling site, the Elections Department said.
This prohibition includes cell phones, cameras and tablets, El Paso County Elections officials said.
The presiding judge at a polling station has the authority to require people to deactivate these devices and can require people who do not comply to leave the polling site, they said.
Exceptions include:
Election workers while acting in their official duties. This does not include poll watchers.
People using assistive technology devices at the discretion of an election judge.
And people employed at the polling site while acting in their employment.
The Elections Department also wants to remind people that you are prohibited from wearing apparel related to a candidate, measure, or political party, whether on the ballot or not, the Elections Department said.
“Please do not wear shirts, hats, or any apparel to a polling site that communicates something for or against any candidate, measure, or political party. Electioneering, which includes wearing anything for or against any candidate, measure, or political party inside the 100-foot area of a polling site, is against the law. This is regardless of whether a candidate is or is not on the ballot. A violation of this is a Class C misdemeanor,” the El Paso County Elections Department said.
“We appreciate your cooperation in following Texas law to help ensure a fair and orderly election. Your participation is vital to our democracy, and we thank you for making your voice heard responsibly,” the El Paso County Elections Department said.
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