Texas Man Arrested After Allegedly Punching Poll Worker Over Political Hat Dispute

According to a report, a man is accused of punching a poll worker in Texas when he was told to remove his “MAGA” or Trump” baseball cap.

 

According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Jesse Lutzenberger was arrested on Thursday and charged with injuring an elderly person.

 

Bexar County Sherriff Javier Salazar said that Lutzenberger first complied with the clerk’s request to remove his hat at the early voting location in Bexar County on Thursday evening. Salazar said that the clerk told him wearing political clothing violates state election laws.

 

Salazar said that Lutzenberger put his hat on again after voting while still inside the building.

 

Salazar told a Friday press conference that the early voting clerk informed him of his inability to vote and began escorting him out.

 

Salazar, citing footage from the incident, said that Lutzenberger appeared to “throw an arm back” toward the victim as the two approached exit doors.

 

The victim appeared to push the suspect off. The suspect turned around and began to throw several punches at the victim’s face.

 

Salazar stated that the election worker was “somewhat injured” on his face, but had no other serious injuries.

 

 

According to Salazar, Lutzenberger has been booked in the Bexar County Jail for injury to an older person, which is a felony of third-degree.

 

A judge set Lutzenberger’s bond to $30,000 on Friday. The court has confirmed that the bond was met.

 

Salazar responded to reporters who asked if Lutzenberger would be charged for assaulting a poll worker. He said that authorities are currently investigating the matter.

 

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas is among 21 states that prohibit wearing campaign clothing in or around polling places.

 

The law in Texas states that a person cannot wear any badges, insignias, emblems, or similar communicative devices relating to candidates, measures, political parties, or the conduct of an election in the voting place, or within 100 feet from any door outside through which a vote can enter the building where the polling station is located.

 

Salazar stated that there were several minor incidents in the county since early voting began, including “swatting calls.” He wanted to “diminish the tone” of what was going on.

 

This is not worth going to prison for. Salazar stated that this election would happen in some way or another. One side will win and one side will lose. “It’s the nature of things.”

 

He continued, “But it makes no sense to pick up a criminal record or a criminal case — or to harm or kill someone in the name of politics.” It just makes no sense.