On the eve of the November 3 general election, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is reminding voters of polling place rules and outlining the Election Night Reporting process.

Ashcroft says Missouri election law prohibits wearing political apparel to the polls, including political masks, shirts, hats, buttons or any other apparel that advocates for a political candidate or issue. Similarly, the law prohibits any electioneering inside of a polling place or within 25 feet of one.

According to another state statute, only voters and their children, poll workers and other election officials, and pre-approved poll watchers may be inside a polling place. State law also prohibits firearms inside of polling places. Law-enforcement officials, at the request of election authorities or in the line of duty, may be inside the polling place.

Voters are also prohibited from sharing their ballot with others, which is why voters may not take photos inside their polling place.

Once all voters have cast their ballots, the office’s Election Night Reporting site will not be activated until each polling place has closed and all voters in at 7 p.m. have cast a ballot.

Polls across the state open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters in line at 7 p.m. are entitled to cast a ballot. Voters who encounter issues or have questions on Election Day are encouraged to contact their local election authority or call the Secretary of State’s office at (800) 669-8683.