The 2026 Texas midterms are finally here, with early voting running from Oct. 19-30. Before you head to the polls, you should know that there are rules and restrictions in place to protect your experience at your polling place, leaving it free from any and all outside influence
In the state of Texas, breaking those rules can delay your voting process and can even come with fines and penalties. Here are five things that aren’t allowed at the polls.
Polling locations are very strict about electioneering, or the influencing or swaying of someone else’s vote. At your polling location, there are usually 20 and 100 foot markers signifying the distance at which you are allowed to hand out political flyers, carry political signs, or advocate for a particular candidate or measure. If you have any signage related to politics closer than those marks, you could be asked to put it away or leave the premises.
Cell phone use inside the building
If you have a phone, tablet, or laptop, you’ll have to put it away before you vote. The use of communications devices at the polls is prohibited, including anything that can record audio or visual components of the voting process.
In places like Harris County, where the ballot is long enough to keep you scrolling at the polls this election, remembering your voting plans with your phone might sound like a hard ask. But Texas officials recommend taking notes on a piece of paper or filling out a sample ballot, both of which are allowed into the polling booth with you.
Wearing any sort of clothing or accessories with a message about a current ballot measure or candidate isn’t allowed. You can’t even wear items that advocate for the specific parties on the ballot—and yes, that includes MAGA hats.
You can wear political clothing if it doesn’t relate to anything on the ballot, like a “Free Palestine” or “Blue Lives Matter” shirt. These wouldn’t count as electioneering at most Texas polls since they represent movements. But if you show up with a shirt, button, or piece of clothing that conveys preference for one party or candidate over the other, you may be asked to wear the shirt inside out or be turned away from voting altogether. These rules are enforced differently across the state, and how restrictive polling sites are can change depending on your city.
Since political flags and bumper stickers on cars would count as electioneering, you can’t park a car within 100 feet of a polling location. Luckily, most polling centers consider the parking lot’s distance, but an election judge could tell someone to move their car if the rule is being violated.
While the distribution of food and water itself isn’t illegal, it’s the intention that could land someone in prison or paying a hefty fine to the state, just take a look at what happened in Fort Worth last summer. Handing out food or water with the intention of influencing a voter’s opinion on ballot measures, candidates or political parties counts as bribery according to Texas law. Texas is one of a handful of states with legislation on this topic.
