Early voting is now underway for the Nov. 5 election, giving registered voters a chance to cast their ballots before Election Day.
Early voting is a great way to avoid the crowds and make the process more convenient, but there are important rules to know before heading to the polls.
KPRC 2′s Candace Burns spoke with John Oldham, Fort Bend County’s Election Administrator, to break down what voters need to know about using cell phones at polling places.
“Electronic communication devices, if they have them with them, need to be turned off,” Oldham said.
No Phones, No Tablets—Turn Off Your Electronics
Whether it’s snapping a quick photo of your ballot or taking a selfie in the booth, it’s not allowed.
“People can’t take pictures in a polling place,” Oldham explained. “We run into this issue sometimes where people want to take pictures of their ballot or their child casting their first ballot, but these are not permitted under Texas law.”
Under Texas law, voters are not allowed to use wireless communications devices within 100 feet of voting stations. Additionally, mechanical or electronic devices that record sound or images are also banned.
Devices that should not be used in the polling place include:
- Cell phones
- Cameras
- Tablet computers
- Laptop computers
- Sound recorders
- Any other device that may communicate wirelessly or be used to record sound or images.
SEE ALSO: Kamala Harris’ visit to Texas: A sign of shifting political battlegrounds?
Notes Allowed, Phones Not Allowed
While electronics are not permitted, voters can bring paper notes with them. This means you can print off a sample ballot or write down your notes on paper to help guide you through the process. This is especially helpful for complex ballots.
Don’t Forget Your ID
Remember to bring one of the acceptable forms of photo ID to the polls. Here’s what is accepted:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Find Your Polling Place
Voting during the early voting period is convenient—registered voters can vote at any early voting location within their county. Early voting continues through November 1st. To find the nearest polling place, visit the My Voter Portal.