Are poll watchers in Texas legally prohibited from making recordings at polling places?
Poll watchers in Texas must sign an affidavit affirming that any "mechanical or electronic means of recording images or sound" will be disabled or left at home while serving as a watcher.
A poll watcher's role is to ensure fair voting on behalf of a political party, candidate or ballot measure, but specific poll watching rules vary by state. Texas isn't the only state that prohibits the use of recording devices while poll watching. Forty-four states have constitutional provisions that guarantee a degree of voter privacy. Many states restrict photography in polling places to limit distraction and protect voters' privacy. These limitations arose as "ballot selfies" (posting one's own pictures of voting or a ballot) gained popularity in recent years.
