With early voting underway for the November 5th election, it’s important for Texas voters to be aware of the rules before heading to the polls. While there are no special qualifications needed to vote early—if you’re registered and eligible to vote on Election Day, you can vote early at any polling location in your county—there are specific restrictions on what you can bring and wear when casting your ballot.
No Firearms Allowed (Except for Peace Officers)
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Texas law prohibits firearms in polling places, except for licensed peace officers. The state’s open carry law doesn’t change this rule—only peace officers are permitted to bring guns inside.
Cellphones Must Be Turned Off
You won’t be able to use your cellphone or any other electronic devices inside the polling place. That means no selfies, pictures, or videos while voting. Texas law requires all electronic devices be turned off to protect voter privacy and ensure the integrity of the voting process.
No Political Apparel or Slogans
Voters are also prohibited from wearing anything that shows support for a political candidate, issue, or party inside the polling location. This includes T-shirts, hats, or buttons with slogans or names of candidates or parties. If you arrive wearing political apparel, you’ll be asked to remove or cover it before entering.
Fort Bend County Election Administrator John Oldham explained that many voters are unaware of these rules.
“You can’t wear anything that has political slogans supporting a candidate or party who is associated with a candidate on the ballot in this election,” Oldham said. “Certainly things with the candidate’s name or the party, whether it be Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Green, would not be permissible.”
Get Your Questions Answered
To help voters navigate these rules, KPRC 2′s Candace Burns is answering questions about what is allowed when casting your ballot. If you have any questions, you can reach her at cburns@kprc.com.
Know Before You GoEarly voting is a great way to avoid the crowds, but it’s important to be prepared. For more information about polling locations and voting requirements, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
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