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SAN ANTONIO - Brett Mauthe, 55, has learned the hard way a lesson of which many voters may not be aware: Wearing the wrong clothing to the polls can lead to big trouble.
Mauthe was arrested Monday in Bulverde on a charge of electioneering for showing up to cast his vote wearing a T-shirt and hat related to the presidential campaign, authorities said.
Bulverde police Chief Gary Haecker confirmed the arrest but declined to release details. Instead, he deferred to Comal County’s election coordinator, Cynthia Jaqua.
Jaqua said the offense of electioneering isn’t limited to people who stand outside polling places holding signs. Violations can be committed by voters as well.
"It can mean a T-shirt, a button, a hat, you know?" she said. “Anything related to the voting, the party, the candidate.”
Jaqua declined to release specific details about Mauthe’s arrest.
However, in a phone call Tuesday, Mauthe told a KSAT 12 News producer that he was wearing a hat supporting Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and a T-shirt with the words “Basket of deplorables.” The phrase stems from a comment that Trump’s rival, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, made in reference to Trump’s supporters.