Bexar County, Texas — A Texas man allegedly assaulted a poll worker after being asked to remove a red “MAGA” or “Trump” baseball cap at an early voting site, according to an incident report.
Jesse Lutzenberger, 63, was arrested on Thursday and charged with injury to an elderly person, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office reported.
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The incident began when Lutzenberger initially complied with a request from a 69-year-old voting clerk, who informed him that wearing political apparel at the voting site was against Texas electioneering laws, said Sheriff Javier Salazar. According to state law, voters are prohibited from wearing political apparel within 100 feet of a polling place.
After voting, Lutzenberger allegedly put the cap back on while still inside the building. When the clerk asked him to remove it again, he was escorted toward the exit.
As they approached the doors, security footage showed Lutzenberger “appearing to throw an arm back toward the victim,” Salazar stated at a Friday press briefing. The victim reportedly pushed back, at which point Lutzenberger allegedly turned and threw several punches aimed at the clerk’s face.
The poll worker sustained minor facial injuries but did not require immediate medical attention.
Lutzenberger was booked into the Bexar County Jail on charges of injury to an elderly person, a third-degree felony. A judge set his bond at $30,000, which has since been met, according to court records.
Authorities are considering additional charges for assaulting an election worker, Sheriff Salazar added.
Texas is one of 21 states where political apparel is prohibited in polling places, per the National Conference of State Legislatures. In Texas, individuals cannot wear clothing or symbols related to a candidate, ballot measure, or political party within polling locations or near their entrances.
Sheriff Salazar addressed the public, urging calm during the election process. “Look, nothing here is worth getting hurt for or going to jail for. This election will proceed regardless of any disturbances,” he said. “One side will win, and one side will lose — that’s just the nature of things.”
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Salazar emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum and avoiding violence over political differences. “There’s no reason to pick up a criminal case or put others in harm’s way in the name of politics,” he concluded.
Since early voting began in Bexar County, there have been a few minor incidents, including a swatting-type call.
