Voting in Pennsylvania? Know your rights before heading to the polls.

Planning to take a MAGA hat or blue wave T-shirt to your local polling place for that obligatory selfie in the voting booth?

If you are in Pennsylvania, go right ahead. As long as you’re there to cast your vote, there are no rules barring campaign couture.

“Individual voters who appear at the polling place to exercise their right to vote are permitted to wear clothing, buttons or hats that demonstrate their support for particular candidates,” according to the Pennsylvania Department of State rules.

Others at the Pennsylvania polls, including poll watchers, workers and local election officials, are not permitted to dress in a way that shows support for a candidate, partisan issue or group.

Here are other rules and rights that Pennsylvania voters might find helpful ahead of tomorrow’s general election.

It’s Primary Election Day Voting underway in Bucks County, across PA for the 2026 primary

Can I use electronic devices in Pa. voting booths?

Voters can use smartphones, tablets or read through physical party sample ballots. They may also take a selfie with their ballot — as long as it doesn’t expose information about someone else’s ballot choices. Any campaign materials you bring into the voting booth also must be removed when you leave.

Can a campaign supporter talk to me while I’m waiting in line to vote in Pennsylvania?

Yes, to a point, according to Witold Walczak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania.

“There’s no blanket prohibition on electioneering of people in line,” Walczak said. “In fact, it’s protected by the First Amendment.”

Individuals supporting a candidate or partisan cause can approach people waiting in line to vote to persuade them until they are within 10 feet of the entrance of the polling place, where it is forbidden.

But if a voter tells the electioneer to leave them alone and they continue to bother the person, the behavior can cross into criminal harassment or intimidation, Walczak said.

Can foreign language speakers get help voting at the polls in Pennsylvania?

Yes.  In counties where there are more than 10,000 or more than 5% of the total voting-age citizens who are members of a single language minority group, have depressed literacy rates and do not speak English well, county officials have to offer voting information and assistance in that language.

Voters with limited English skills can bring someone with them to the polls to help them vote as long as the person is not an employer, union representative or judge of elections.

You do not need to receive permission before each election to have someone help you vote, but you may be asked to sign a declaration stating that you need assistance at the polling place. This declaration is now available in Spanish, traditional Chinese,  simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.

Can someone with a physical disability bring someone to help them vote in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Polling places must have a voting system that is accessible. If you cannot enter the voting booth or use the system due to a disability, you can select a person to assist you in casting your vote, but that person cannot be a judge of elections, a union representative or your employer.

Can individuals accused or convicted of crimes vote in Pennsylvania?

In most cases, yes.  A defendant awaiting trial in jail can vote, and individuals convicted of misdemeanor crimes can vote, unless the conviction was for violating the Pennsylvania Election Code.  People with felony convictions can vote if they were released or will be released from a correctional center by the next election. Individuals on parole and house arrest are allowed to vote.

Individuals in Pennsylvania who cannot vote are those currently confined in a correctional facility for felony or misdemeanor convictions and who will not be released until after the next election. Anyone convicted of violating any provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code within the last four years is also barred from participating.

Are people allowed to carry guns at the polls in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania generally allows lawful gun owners to bring firearms into polling places unless the poll is located in a place where the law bars it, such as inside schools and courthouses.

Can poll watchers prevent someone from voting in Pennsylvania?

No. Poll watchers  observe the activity throughout the day. They’re not permitted to question voters, photograph or record them, or demand documentation, according to the Department of State.  They’re also forbidden from altering official election ballots, reviewing or accessing contents of ballot boxes, or interfering with the orderly process of voting.

Poll watcher activities are limited to the following:

• Keeping a list of voters.

• Inspecting a numbered list of voters and voting checklist, but only when there are no voters in the polling place and under the supervision of a poll worker.

• Making good faith challenges to an elector’s identity or continued residence in the election district.

• Lodging permitted challenges directly with the Judge of Elections.

What is considered voter intimidation at polling places in Pa.?

Voter intimidation is deemed as any activity by an individual that threatens, harasses, or intimidates voters, including any activity that is intended to, or has the effect of, interfering with any voter’s right to vote, whether it occurs outside the polling place or inside the polling place. Examples of voter intimidation include but are not limited to:

• Photographing, recording or videotaping voters.

• Disseminating false or misleading election information to voters.

• Blocking the entrance to a polling place.

• Confronting, hovering, or directly speaking to or questioning voters.

• Engaging in threatening behavior.

• Asking voters for documentation.

In Pennsylvania, voter fraud, intimidation or any election-related anomaly can be reported by filling out an online form or contacting election officials in the concerned county. Residents can also call 877-VOTESPA (877-868-3772).

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What are Pennsylvania’s restrictions on campaign couture on Election Day