Louisiana Law Prohibits You From Wearing Certain Apparel When Voting

(Lafayette, Louisiana) - It's voting season, and there are several rules you must follow when you go to vote in Louisiana, including early voting.

Chances are you have seen political signs in your community and received texts from politicians asking for your vote and reminding you the upcoming election is just days away.

As you plan to vote early or go to the polls on November 3, 2026, you should know a few laws you must follow.

I remember as a kid, my parents would let me go into the voting booth with them to "vote," but they'd always remind me of a few rules, and one rule they also told me before we left to vote is often violated these days.

In addition to the "rules" they teach me, my parents always told me to NEVER tell anyone who we voted for, but that doesn't seem to be the case these days, since many people are quick to announce who they voted for on social media.

Now, let's cover a few things you need to know before you go cast your vote, and we hope you do in the days ahead.

Louisiana Law on Political Signs

As you may know, the Louisiana State Legislature has guidelines for political signs near polling places, and state law says no political signs can be within 600 feet of a polling station entrance. That's why you see all the political signs in one designated area as you approach your polling station. I bet most are 601 feet from the front door.

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Beyond the distance of political signs at polling stations, Louisiana has also defined what voters and poll workers cannot wear on Election Day.

What You Can't Wear When Voting

In recent years, we have seen videos and read social media stories about potential voters being denied entry to a polling station because of what they are wearing. Under state law, no one in a polling station may

"Place, wear, or display political signs, campaign apparel, pictures, or other forms of political advertising which advocate for or against any candidate, proposition, or political party appearing on the ballot in the election."

That means you are NOT allowed to wear a candidate's apparel with his or her name on it, and that also includes slogans. I'm sharing this reminder so you don't have to turn around and change before you can vote; our time is valuable.

Loitering At Polling Stations

Also, in Louisiana, you may not loiter near a polling place. The law states that you are not allowed:

"To remain within any such polling place or within a radius of six hundred feet of the entrance of any such polling place, except when exercising the right to vote, after having been directed by an election commissioner, law enforcement officer, registrar, or deputy registrar to leave the premises or area of a polling place."

Again, we hope you exercise your right to vote in the days ahead, and as someone once jokingly said on state social media, if you don't vote, you can't complain about your community, state, or country here.

Get out and vote, then show off the sticker you get after you cast your vote.