SCOTUS Strikes Down State Law Banning Political Apparel at Polling Places

What’s the story?

• You can now wear your “Make America Great Again” hat in the voting booth.
• The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down Minnesota’s law that barred voters in polling places from wearing political buttons, hats, and shirts.
• The 7-2 decision in Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky is expected to affect similar laws in at least six states.

What did the justices say?

• Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said that Minnesota’s ban on “political badges, political buttons, or other political insignia” gave election officials too much discretion when banning political speech. “That discretion must be guided by objective, workable standards.”

"The unmoored use of the term 'political' in the Minnesota law, combined with haphazard interpretations the State has provided in official guidance and representations to this Court, cause Minnesota's restriction to fail this test” of reasonableness, the court wrote.

• Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer dissented, but only because they believed the court should have sent the case back to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

What do you think?

Do you agree with the Supreme Court decision? Did the ban on political apparel violate free speech rights? Does Congress need to pass a law banning political apparel at voting places? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: Shop.donaldjtrump.com)