As Election Day approaches in the U.S., voters are gearing up to cast their ballots for crucial races, including the presidential election. With high stakes on both sides, ensuring that your vote counts has never been more important. However, there’s one significant rule that you need to be aware of before stepping into your local polling station. Failure to follow it could prevent you from casting your vote altogether.
Whether you’re voting on the economy, social issues, or the future direction of the country, you’ll want to avoid this mistake to ensure your voice is heard. Here’s the key rule you need to know to make sure you don’t get turned away from the polls.
Early Voting Already Underway, But Key Rules Apply
Although Election Day in the U.S. won’t arrive until Tuesday, November 5th this year, early voting is already underway in some locations. As voters in various states head to their local polling stations, they need to be aware of certain rules that apply on Election Day to prevent any disruptions in casting their ballots.
One particular regulation applies to what you wear when you arrive to vote. While you may want to express your support for your preferred candidate, doing so at the polling place could land you in trouble.
What Not to Do on Election Day: Leave Campaign Gear at Home
The one thing you should never do when you head to vote is wear any clothing, buttons, or stickers that advocate for a particular candidate or political party. In many states, this is considered “electioneering”—a term that refers to campaigning within a polling area—and it’s prohibited by law.
According to Wendy Underhill, director of elections and redistricting at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the reasoning behind this rule is simple: polling stations should be neutral zones where voters feel comfortable casting their ballots without outside influence.
“The polling place should be a neutral space,” Underhill explains. “We don’t want anyone to feel like this is not the space for them. You don’t want to intimidate people who are not of the same political persuasion, and you don’t want to influence them.”
In short, whether it’s a T-shirt supporting your candidate of choice or a hat with a slogan, leave your campaign materials at home.
States That Ban Campaign Apparel
As of the most recent guidelines, 21 states have laws that explicitly prohibit voters from wearing campaign gear inside polling stations. These states include:
- Arkansas
- California
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
If you’re voting in any of these states, you’ll need to be extra cautious not to wear or display anything that could be interpreted as supporting a particular candidate or party. However, even if you don’t live in one of these 21 states, it’s still wise to be cautious. Many other states have rules against “influencing voters” or “soliciting votes” within a certain distance of the polling station, which can also lead to trouble if you’re displaying campaign materials.
Electioneering Rules: Beyond the Polling Station
It’s important to note that these rules don’t just apply once you enter the building. Most of the states that enforce these laws also have distance requirements, prohibiting electioneering within a specific range—usually between 50 to 250 feet—of a polling site.
For example, Arkansas not only bans campaign clothing and stickers but also makes it unlawful to place campaign banners, signs, or literature on vehicles near polling stations. In Delaware, even discussing political candidates or issues near the polling place is prohibited.
What Happens If You Break the Rules?
If you show up to vote wearing campaign gear in a state that prohibits electioneering, election officials will ask you to remove or cover the material. This could be as simple as asking you to put on a jacket or turn your shirt inside out. Failure to comply could result in more severe consequences. In the worst-case scenario, you might be turned away and not allowed to vote.
Additionally, some states have strict penalties for breaking these rules. Voters could face misdemeanor charges, which might lead to fines or even jail time. In most cases, officials will give voters multiple opportunities to rectify the situation before it escalates to this point.
How to Avoid Problems at the Polls
To avoid any issues on Election Day, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with your state’s electioneering laws. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has resources available online to help you check your state’s specific regulations.
In addition, local election officials can provide guidance on what is and isn’t allowed when you arrive to vote. If you have any doubts, the safest bet is to avoid wearing any political paraphernalia at all, ensuring that your focus remains on casting your vote, rather than worrying about potential violations.
Conclusion: Make Your Vote Count
With so much at stake in this year’s election, it’s crucial to be prepared when heading to the polls. While the act of voting is a fundamental right, following the necessary guidelines—like leaving campaign clothing at home—ensures that you can cast your ballot without issue. When Election Day arrives, make sure you’re dressed to vote—not to campaign.
