Can Kansas and Missouri voters wear political attire to the polls? What state laws say
Early voting has kicked off around Kansas and Missouri, and millions of voters are expected to cast their ballots on or before Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
As voters make their decisions on issues like legalizing sports gambling and abortion access in Missouri, local leaders in Kansas and the next president of the United States, they may want to be mindful of what they’re wearing to the polls.
While some may feel inclined to wear hats, shirts or buttons supporting a candidate or ballot measure, doing so could prevent you from voting. Here’s what state laws say about wearing political merch to a polling location, whether you’re voting during the advance period or on Election Day.
Can I wear political gear to Kansas polls?
It’s against the law in Kansas for voters and poll workers to wear political gear to voting locations, according to a Kansas state statute. The act is referred to as electioneering, which is described in the statute as “knowingly attempting to persuade or influence eligible voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, party or question submitted.”
Electioneering includes wearing or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers or other items that clearly show support for a ballot question or candidate. The same prohibitions apply to poll workers.
Poll workers will ask people to turn their gear inside out or take it off before they can vote. Otherwise, they will ask you to leave the area.
You can’t be within 250 feet of a Kansas polling location wearing or distributing ballot-related items, the statute says. You could be charged with a class C misdemeanor and punished by up to 30 days in jail or up to a $500 fine.
Can I wear political gear to Missouri polls?
Wearing any gear related to any ballot question is also considered electioneering, which is illegal in Missouri. Electioneering applies to any vote or election, prohibiting people from bringing anything related to an item on the ballot within 25 feet of the building’s entrance, such as shirts, hats or yard signs, according to Missouri law.
Election workers will ask people to turn their gear inside out, take it off or leave the area if they are wearing anything related to what appears on the ballot. Poll workers are also not allowed to wear anything related to an item on the ballot.
Electioneering is a class four election offense and is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $2,500 or a combination of both, according to the state statute.
