Foreword
In 1912, Minnesota enacted the Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits the wearing of any political “badge, button or other insignia” in State polling places on Election Day. The law was similar to those in other States that limited, in some form or another, political expression at or near where elections were being conducted. Today, 10 States explicitly forbid the wearing of political “apparel” in polling places. In 2010, the Minnesota law became the center of controversy after State and local election officials issued clarifying guidance that instructed poll workers to deny entry to any individual wearing apparel that included the…
