"Over the past few days, there have been several media reports suggesting that this office issued a directive to local election officials that voters who wear...WWE t-shirts, hats or other apparel to the polls should be turned away from the polls,'' Bysiewicz wrote in a letter registrars of voters and town clerks. "These reports misstate the law and misconstrue the statements from this office."
In an interview, Bysiewicz said her office is not banning WWE apparel. "If somebody walks in wearing a Hulk Hogan shirt, that's not a problem,'' she said. "If someone is wearing a t-shirt that says vote for Dick Blumenthal or Linda McMahon, clearly those kind of items are prohibited.''
The controversy began on Friday, when Bysiewicz's spokesman, Av Harris, told the Courant that the office had had informal discussions with local election officials after concerns had arisen that WWE-themed garb could be construed as a political statement in support of U.S. Senate candidate, and former WWE CEO, Linda McMahon. The WWE brand "is so ubiquitously associated with the McMahons,'' Harris had said.
State law prohibits political campaigning within 75 feet of a polling place. Harris had said voters wearing WWE garb might be asked to cover up or go home and change, depending on the discretion of local voting officials. However he stressed that no one would be prevented from casting a ballot.
Vince Mcmahon, who is married to Linda McMahon, cried foul and on Tuesday, filed a lawsuit asserting his rights would be violated by such a directive.
Within hours of McMahon's lawsuit, Bysiewicz emailed reporters the letter she had sent to the registrars and town clerks. She pointed out that, contrary to McMahon's claim, no directive had been issued on what types of clothing would be permitted at the polls.
"In preparing for this election, be advised that it is the position of this office that simply wearing WWE apparel at the polls, including apparel with the trade name or logo of the WWE or the name or photograph of any WWE entertainer that does not display the name or photograph of Linda McMahon...or the name or logo of Ms. McMahon's campaign does not trigger a violation of" state election law, Bysiewicz wrote.
Even if a voter is found in violation of the law prohibiting campaigning at the polls, they should never be asked to leave, Bysiewicz added. "They should be simply asked to remove or cover the item or apparel in question,'' she wrote. "Once this is accomplished, the individual should be allowed to vote. Once the individual leaves the polls and is outside 75 feet, they are free to display their support for the candidate of their choice."