• Section 63.013 of the Texas Election Code provides that a person may not use any mechanical or electronic means of recording images or sound within 100 feet of a voting station.  In addition, this section also provides that a person may not use a wireless communication device within 100 feet of a voting station.

RUMOR:

• I’ve heard that there won't be an early voting polling location in the Como area.  Is this true?

FACT:

• This is false.  Early Voting in the Como area will be held at the Lake Como Area Council Building located at 3507 Horne Street in Fort Worth.  This new location is five blocks north of the previous location, Como Elementary School, also on Horne Street.  The Early Voting site was changed to better accommodate an expected large turnout of voters in this area, and because the school location had limited space available for voting.  For a full list of early voting sites and schedule, please visit our Early Voting web page.

RUMOR:

• I’ve heard that casting a straight-party vote won’t register a vote for my party’s Presidential candidate and that I have to mark my choice for President before marking the straight-party selection.

FACT:

• This is false.  Casting a straight-party vote automatically gives a vote to all candidates associated with that party, including that party’s Presidential candidate.  Check the instructions on your ballot or in your voting booth for more information on casting a straight-party vote.

RUMOR:

• I’ve heard that if I vote on the eSlate and cast a straight-party vote, my ballot will be blank if I try to mark my ballot again for all the candidates of my party.

FACT:

• When voting a straight-party ballot on the eSlate, if you turn the wheel to highlight the name of a candidate that has already received a straight-party vote, pressing ENTER again will remove the vote from that candidate, and the box to the left of that candidate’s name will be cleared, indicating no vote has been entered for that candidate.  If you remove the vote from a candidate in error, press ENTER again to place a red mark in the box to the left of the candidate’s name.  Be sure to check the eSlate summary screen(s) to make sure that your choices are marked as desired before pressing the CAST BALLOT button.

RUMOR:

• I’ve heard that I can’t wear a campaign t-shirt into a polling place and that if I do, I will be asked to leave.

FACT:

• Wearing campaign clothing, hats, pins, buttons, etc. inside a polling place or within 100 feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter the building in which a polling place is located is considered “electioneering” and is a violation of election laws  (Texas Election Code Section 61.003).  Persons wearing campaign materials into a polling place are generally asked to remove or cover their campaign materials or to turn their shirt inside-out.

RUMOR:

• I’ve heard that I can’t bring in a sample ballot or notes to help me in marking my official ballot.

FACT:

• This is untrue.  Voters may bring written materials such as sample ballots, notes, pamphlets, even campaign flyers to assist them in marking their own ballot.  Voters who bring in these types of materials may not share them with other voters or leave them behind in the voting booth after casting their ballot.  Please note, however, that voters may not use cell phones while in the polling place (Election Code Section 63.013).

RUMOR:

• Is it true that Republican candidates are listed first in each race on the ballot?

FACT:

• This is true and is determined by Section 52.091(b) of the Texas Election Code.  Statewide, the order of candidates by party affiliation is determined by the number of votes received by each party’s candidate for governor in the most recent gubernatorial general election. 

RUMOR:

• I’ve heard that I can’t take my children with me to the polls.  Is that true?

FACT:

• This is false.  Children under the age of 18 may accompany a parent inside the polling place.  (Election Code Section 64.002)

RUMOR:

• Is it true that if you’ve lost your voter registration certificate you can’t vote?

FACT:

• Untrue.  If you are a registered voter, you may use any of the following as identification at the polling place: 
  • your voter registration certificate;
  • a driver’s license or personal identification card issued by the Texas Department of Safety or similar documents from other states;
  • a form of identification containing a photograph that establishes your identity (such as an employee identification card);
  • a birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes a person’s identity;
  • United States citizenship papers;
  • a United States passport;
  • official mail addressed to the person by name from a governmental agency;
  • a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter (including an expired voter registration certificate).

Note that if you are a first-time voter, you may be unable to use your voter registration certificate as identification the first time you vote.  Any other item from the above list will suffice in that instance.