SAN ANTONIO – It’s spooky season in San Antonio, and early voters may be tempted to swing by the polls in costume before heading out for Halloween festivities.
Early voting runs through October 31 before Election Day on November 4.
Election officials say there are a few rules to remember before showing up dressed as your favorite character.
Voters can wear costumes to the polls, to a certain extent. However, if their costume include props or accessories meant to be scary, those need to stay in their car. Fake weapons, even if they’re part of a costume, are not allowed inside polling places.
Electioneering laws still apply, meaning anything that could be interpreted as a political statement — including costumes, shirts, or buttons supporting a candidate or issue — won’t be allowed near the polls.
Voters should also skip any Spurs jerseys or team gear inside polling places. With arena funding on the ballot, this means no Spurs shirts, hats, and similar items. The ballot also includes a measure regarding improvements to the rodeo grounds, so the elections department says rodeo gear is prohibited as well.
Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew says election judges have been briefed on all these guidelines and will be ready for Halloween voters.
“If they show up to vote in a costume and they have a mask on, they will be asked to remove their mask just to identify them when they’re looking at their IDs,” said Carew.
This isn’t the first time voters have had to juggle costumes and ballots. Halloween has fallen during the early voting period in five of the last 10 election years in Bexar County. In 2025, it lands on the very last day to cast a ballot early.