SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County elections offiicials are clarifying cell phone policies at voting locations on the last day of early voting in Texas ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
Jacque Callanen, Bexar County's elections administrator, said some of their locations have dealt with lack of understanding among voters of the cell phone policies.
Cell phone use is not allowed within 100 feet of the voting locations.
"On Facebook, someone had a picture of the screen that they voted on and then they took a picture of their ballot. Again, that is not permitted," Callanen said. "These signs are in every single poll. It says that within 100 feet of any outside door, cell phones have to be off, smart watches have to be off."
Callanen stressed that paper notes are acceptable and encourages people to bring those instead in light of the cell phone policy.
Another issue the elections staff has encountered is people using their phones to show drivers licenses and other forms of ID.
"The younger generation takes a picture of that license so they have it all the time with them, but we cannot accept that. We have to have the hard copy," Callanen said.
Callanen said she hopes that overall, she hopes people plan ahead if they are planning to vote on Election Day on Tuesday. Throughout the two weeks of early voting, voters have seen long lines at many of the early voting locations.
"We are seeing lines before the polls open, even in early voting, people are showing up. We know and we are telling the judges [on Election Day], you will have a line," Callanen said.
Elections officials expect lines on Election Day as well. Officials urge everyone to look at their sample ballots ahead of time and be ready with their choices as they head into the booth.
