BROWN COUNTY (NBC 26) — With Election Day on Tuesday, Wisconsinites heading to the polls may want to further support their preferred candidate by wearing politically branded clothing. However, you may need to reconsider.
State law in Wisconsin doesn't explicitly prohibit political clothing at the polls.
But the law doesn't allow electioneering, defined as "Any activity which is intended to influence voting at an election" per Wis. Stat. sec. 12.03(4).
Pittsfield Town Clerk, Debbie Diederich says wearing clothing with an American flag or "USA" on it is legal, but if it's stating support for a particular candidate, she'll ask you to take it off.
"I would ask them if you are not willing to do that, I will have to ask you to leave this building and you will not be able to vote unless you do that," said Diederich.
Not everyone, Diederich says, may interpret the law same way.
"My training from my previous clerk and from Brown County has been you can't wear any of the [political] shirts," said Diederich. "But I would agree that the law is a little gray so people could interpret it differently."
State law says any political bumper stickers on cars that voters drive to polling locations are allowed, but the case for clothing is simply not as clear.
Editor's note: This article previously indicated that political clothing is banned at polling locations in Brown County. State statute does not mention a ban, and the article has been changed to reflect the law.
