The strict dress codes you must stick to in most states when you vote

by · Mail Online

Voters in 21 states are banned from wearing MAGA hats, Kamala Harris buttons, and any other political gear when they cast their ballots.

Every state in the US bans campaigning near poling booths, and all but a handful of states have stronger restrictions on more passive advertising.

These little-known rules have led to at least two high-profile clashes in South Carolina and Texas over the past week during earlier voting.

A poll worker in Bexar County, Texas, was even punched in the face several times by a Donald Trump supporter who refused to take off his hat.

This early voter in Chicago, Illinois, had no problem voting based on her clothing choices 

Trump clothing has caused the most drama so far, but the rules don't discriminate between voters of each party.

Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Washington, and West Virginia are the only states that don't explicitly ban either election materials like signs and leaflets, or apparel like hats, buttons, and shirts.

Another 22 states and the District of Columbia only ban election materials, placards, signs, banners, and literature.

Both apparel and election materials are banned in 22 states including Texas, New York, Michigan, California, and South Carolina.

Some states have exceptions in their election laws, such as Maine that bans campaign apparel but allows buttons smaller than three inches.

The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains a comprehensive list of all items and activities banned at polling places, and how far the bans extend.

Every state in the US bans campaigning near poling booths, but all but a handful of states have stronger restrictions on more passive advertising
Some voters were forced to take off clothing supporting a candidate and cast their ballots in underwear, like this woman in 

Other rules include 29 states prohibit influencing or persuading voters, 18 states and DC ban petitions, and 10 states disallow sounds referring to candidates.

Another nine states ban loitering, and six prohibit exit polls. 

Voters who show up with prohibited items are asked to leave them outside, or be refused entrance to the voting booth.

Some voters were forced to take off clothing supporting a candidate and cast their ballots in underwear, or at least turn it inside-out.

One woman in an unnamed state was photographed in just a bra after she was forced to take off her Trump shirt.

A South Carolina voter lashed out at polling staff last week after he refused to remove his Trump hat while casting his vote 

'Woman comes to vote wearing Trump gear. They tell her she can't. She calls the poll worker a d**khead and rips her shirt off,' the voter who took the photo wrote online.

A South Carolina voter lashed out at polling staff last week after he refused to remove his Trump hat while casting his vote.

The unnamed man, wearing a 'Let's Go Brandon' cap, was asked by workers inside Orangeburg County Library to take his hat outside due to state law. 

Video captured of the altercation shows him erupting over the request. 

Enraged, he then removes the cap in front of another woman and waves it in her face, telling her: 'This is my motherf**king right'. 

In a similar incident, a Texas man is facing a felony charge after he punched an elderly poll worker who asked him to remove his MAGA hat. 

Jesse Lutzenberger allegedly lashed out at the 69-year-old man who had to be treated at the scene on October 25. 

He eventually took off the hat and voted, but put it back on again as he was leaving, and a poll worker again told him to take it off until he was outside. 

As the clerk escorted him out, Lutzenberger allegedly threw an elbow or arm back toward him and then turned to punch him in the face multiple times, according to local police.