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A Texas man arrested for allegedly punching a poll worker who told him to take off his political hat
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A Texas man arrested for allegedly punching a poll worker who told him to take off his political hat

A man allegedly punched a poll worker at an early voting site in Texas after he was asked to remove his red “MAGA” or “Trump” baseball cap, according to an incident report.

Jesse Lutzenberger, 63, was arrested Thursday and charged with injury to an elderly person, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Lutzenberger initially complied when he was asked by the 69-year-old early voting clerk to remove his hat while at the Bexar County early voting site Thursday evening, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. The clerk informed him that wearing political clothing violates state election laws, Salazar said.

After voting, Lutzenberger put the hat back on while still in the building, Salazar said.

“The early voting clerk then informed him that that was unacceptable and proceeded to escort the individual out,” Salazar said at a news conference Friday.

As the two approached the facility’s exit doors, Lutzenberger appeared to “throw an arm back at the victim,” Salazar said, citing security footage of the incident.

“The victim appeared to push away from the suspect. At that point, the suspect turned and threw several punches directly into the victim’s face,” the sheriff continued.

The election worker had “some marks on his face” but no other serious injuries, Salazar said.

PHOTO: Artist David Alcantar holds one "TO VOTE" flag while giving directions to a motorist outside the Bexar County Elections Department in San Antonio, Oct. 15, 2024.

A man holds a “VOTE” flag outside the Bexar County Elections Department in San Antonio, Oct. 15, 2024.

Eric Gay/AP

Lutzenberger was booked into the Bexar County Jail for injury to an elderly person, a third-degree felony, Salazar said.

During a hearing on Friday, a judge set Lutzenberger’s bond at $30,000, which has been met, court records show.

When asked by reporters whether Lutzenberger will be charged with assaulting an election worker, Salazar said authorities are now looking into that.

ABC News has reached out to Lutzenberger and his attorney for comment.

Texas is one of 21 states that ban people from wearing campaign clothing in or near polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In Texas, a person “may not wear any badge, insignia, emblem, or other similar means of communication relating to any candidate, measure, or political party appearing on the ballot, or to the conduct of the election, at the polling place or within 100 feet of any exterior door through which a voter may enter the building in which the polling place is located,” the law states.

Salazar said there have been several minor incidents since the start of early voting in the province, including a “swatting call.” He said he wanted to “lower the tone of what’s happening out there.”

“Look, nothing here is worth getting hurt because you’re in jail. This election will happen one way or another,” Salazar said. “One side is going to win, the other side is going to lose. That’s just the nature of things.”

“But there is no point in taking up a criminal case, taking up a criminal history – or injuring or even killing someone in the name of politics,” he continued. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”