Thread: Trump supporter arrested on charge of electioneering for refusing to remove t-shirt

OCTOBER 27, 2016 3:35 PM

Trump supporter arrested on charge of electioneering for refusing to remove t-shirt

Texas voter arrested for refusing to remove Trump shirt



Signs or apparel promoting a candidate are illegal at polling places.
Jae C. Hong AP

BY TERESA WELSH
twelsh@mcclatchy.com

Brett Mauthe went to cast his early ballot this week for Donald Trump and ended up in jail.

Mauthe, 55, went Monday to fulfill his civic duty in Bulverde, Texas. He was wearing a hat supporting the Republican nominee and a T-shirt reading “Basket of deplorables.” The phrase was used by Hillary Clinton to describe Trump supporters: “The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic.”

It is considered electioneering to wear clothing supporting a candidate to a polling place, just as it is illegal to stand outside one holding campaign signs. Mauthe was asked to remove his hat and complied. But he refused to turn his shirt inside out so the slogan could not be read.

He was then arrested on a charge of electioneering.
Comal County elections coordinator Cynthia Jaqua told the Houston Chronicle it was the first time she’d actually seen anyone arrested for violating the prohibition on items supporting a candidate.

“Every election we have to advise people,” Jaqua said, even when casting ballots for things like the school board.

“It’s in the election code. Electioneering is prohibited within a 100-foot marker. You cannot express views for or against a candidate or political party by wearing buttons, T-shirts, hats, whatever else or carrying signs.”

Mauthe told KSAT that he didn’t know wearing clothing supporting Trump broke the law. He was released on a $500 bond.


http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/p...110924762.html

Passive electioneering - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_electioneering

Wikipedia

Passive electioneering is the act of wearing campaign paraphernalia or carrying signs to a polling place with the intent of influencing voters. Across the United States laws vary relating to passive electioneering.

That's right. I've worked the polls and if you can't respond to demands that you not bring electioneering into the polling place where people are trying to think and make decisions, you need to be arrested. I don't care who you are or who you are voting for. All promotions and endorsements stop way outside of the polls long before you get in the polling station, not just in the polling station. There is something like a 100 foot or yard radius where it is prohibited. No T-shirts, no hats, no buttons, no anything.

You also are prohibited from standing around chatting about candidates or issues. Just go in vote and get out. Don't fool around.

I hope they arrest EVERY individual voting illegally in this country and all those who are involved in this!

Signs need to be posted at every polling place. Prison, fine and deportation (if applicable).