VERIFY: Yes, you can bring your children with you to vote, but there are some restrictions

WASHINGTON — If you’re a parent headed out to vote Tuesday, what do you do with your children? If they can’t say home alone, can they go with you to the polls?

Editor's Note: The video above was originally broadcast in November 2020, thus the reference to COVID restrictions and protocols. 

Question:

Can you bring children with you to vote?

Answer:

In D.C., Maryland, and Virginia you can bring kids to vote. But there are some exceptions.

Our Sources:  

The D.C. Board of Elections, Maryland’s State Board of Election and the state’s election law and Virginia law.

Our Process: 

We can verify that yes, you can bring children with you to vote. But there are a few rules.

In D.C., election officials told our researchers children need to follow the same guidelines as adults. That includes not wearing campaign or political attire, or being disruptive to other voters.

Virginia’s law is clear. It said children 15 or younger can be in a voting booth with their parent.

So yes, if you’re voting in the D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, you can bring your children to the polls, but there are certain rules and restrictions.