You Can’t Wear That to Vote [PHIL-OSOPHY]

Should it be illegal to wear my "Make America Great Again" T-shirt to the polls? The same goes for wearing a hat saying "I'm With Hillary."

Two Massachusetts voters, one Democrat and the other Republican, have filed a lawsuit challenging the Commonwealth's ban on wearing campaign buttons, hats and other political apparel at the polling places.

Let me take you back to an election in the 1980's. My polling place was the New Bedford Water Department building. I walked in wearing political trappings and immediately heard gasps of shock.

"Hey, you can't wear that in here!"

I left in humiliation, embarrassment and silent anger. I could never figure out, and still to this day, how in a state that gave birth to American liberty, I could be prevented from voting based on what I was wearing.

I'm of the opinion that wearing a campaign button, shirt, hat, underwear or whatever, is not enough reason to refuse someone the right to vote, period. And just for the record, I didn't go to vote in my political garb to harass or influence anyone, but simply to show  support for my candidate.

I guess, based on how you are dressed, every vote doesn't count anymore.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.