Do Texas cops have to turn off body cams while voting? What election laws apply to them
There are several items that Texans are not allowed to use while voting.
Residents are not allowed to use cell phones, cameras, computers, sound recorders, or any other recording device while voting, per state law.
So what does that mean for Texas police officers who are required to wear body-worn cameras while on duty? Here’s what to know:
Can police officers use their body cameras while voting?
In an advisory for the Nov. 5 general election, the Texas Secretary of State recommends police officers turn off their body cameras within 100 feet of a voting station.
The SOS further said that body cameras should be turned off regardless of whether the officer is on or off duty, pursuant to section 61.014 of the Texas Election Code.
“A person may not use a wireless communication device within 100 feet of a voting station,” the law states. “A person may not use any mechanical or electronic means of recording images or sound within 100 feet of a voting station.”
Turning off body cameras within the 100-foot zone surrounding the polling place helps maintain voter privacy, the SOS said.
Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election is in full swing in Texas. For more information, The Star-Telegram has put together a voter guide for key races statewide and in Tarrant County.
