If you’re headed to the polls next week, be sure to mind the dress code.
Elections are a few days away, with Brockton’s mayoral race, city council and school committee elections all on the ballot.
Massachusetts voting areas have certain restrictions for attire, with material that may influence voters not allowed within a certain radius of polling places during voting hours.
This includes clothing with mention of political candidates on the ballot or their proposed policies. Failure to comply can result in a fine.
“Whoever posts, exhibits, circulates or distributes any poster, card, handbill, placard, picture or circular intended to influence the action of a voter, or any paster to be placed upon the official ballot, in violation of any provision of this section, shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars,” according to Massachusetts General Law chapter 54 section 65.
When is Election Day?
Election day falls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
What can’t I wear to polling locations?
The state prohibits certain political and campaign activities within 150 feet of areas in and around voting locations during voting hours.
“The application of the 150-foot rule is limited only to voting locations and the immediate vicinity of a voting location, so as not to place an unreasonable restriction on protected political speech,” according to a 2024 election advisory from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “The 150-foot rule does not apply to central tabulation facilities, advance ballot processing locations, ballot drop-boxes, or local election offices that are not located in the same building as a polling place or early voting site.”
The state considers materials influential to voters if they contain a candidate’s name, the name of a candidate’s policy proposal, a candidate’s slogan or image or a political party name.
“Further, no person may hinder, delay, or interfere with a voter without lawful authority. This includes any attempt to induce a voter to disclose how they have voted before they deposit their ballot,” according to the advisory. “The prohibition against interfering with a voter protects voters who are voting or on their way to vote, which means that it extends outside the 150-foot area around a voting location.”
Activities that are not allowed include the following:
- Holding certain political signs
- Wearing certain political apparel (t-shirts, hats, buttons, pins, stickers, etc.)
- Handing out campaign literature
- Distributing stickers for write-in campaigns
- Shaking hands or otherwise greeting voters (while being a candidate on the ballot)
- Asking voters to vote in a certain manner
- Hindering or interfering with voters who are voting or on their way to vote
- Soliciting signatures on any type of petition – whether or not it pertains to the current election
Can I campaign for a candidate who isn’t on the ballot?
Yes, campaigning for someone or something that is not on the ballot at a polling location is generally permitted. Here’s some political activities that are deemed allowable at the ballot:
- Campaigning for a candidate or ballot question not on the ballot in that location
- Campaigning for a candidate or issue on the ballot in a future election
- Holding a sign or wearing apparel that may be “political” but not intended to aid or defeat someone or something on the ballot
- Exit polling, if speaking to voters exiting the polling location
