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Posting ballot selfies: Personal choice or illegal act?

ASSOCIATED PRESS

In this Oct. 20, 2008, photo provided by Nikola Halycyone Jordan, Jordan poses with her election ballot in Omaha, Neb. Jordan believes the selfies are a great way not only to share her views on the issues, but also to stress the importance of voting and being civically active. A Nebraska lawmaker added a provision to state election law in 2016 to allow ballot selfies.

TRENTON, N.J. >> You probably already know whether you’ll vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton on Election Day, leaving one important question to consider when you walk into your polling place: Is it OK to take a picture of your ballot?

While secrecy in the voting booth has become a thing of the past for those ready to share their views and daily lives on social media, laws nationwide are mixed on whether voters are allowed to take pictures of themselves in the act or of their ballots — “ballot selfies”.

Federal judges have struck down bans on selfies in New Hampshire and Indiana, and rules have been changed in places like California and Rhode Island, but in many states it’s still a violation that carries potential fines or jail terms.

There are laws against sharing any photo of your ballot in 18 states, while six other states bar photography in polling places but do allow photos of mail-in ballots, according to a review by The Associated Press.

Critics say such regulations have not kept up with technology and are confusing for voters and election workers. Some states that ban ballot selfies or have moved to block them cite concerns the photos could harm the integrity of the voting process by encouraging vote-buying or coercion, though some acknowledge there’s no evidence to support those fears.

Nikola Jordan, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, has been taking such photos for about 10 years and believes they are a great way not only to share her views on the issues, but also to stress the importance of voting and being civically active. A Nebraska lawmaker added a provision to state election law this year to allow ballot selfies.

“I was doing this for years before I learned it was technically illegal,” Jordan said with a laugh. “It’s all about encouraging other people to get involved in the process, to show it can be fun and exciting to make your voice heard (at the polls). Don’t think of voting as some boring thing … It’s your chance to make a difference.”

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston last month upheld a decision that New Hampshire’s ban on ballot selfies was unconstitutional, saying it suppressed a large swath of political speech and there was no evidence to support the state’s concerns.

“It goes to the core of democracy,” said Gilles Bissonnette, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, which brought the suit on behalf of three people investigated for violating the statute.

Among those filing briefs in support of ballot selfies was Snapchat, which argued they are the latest way voters, especially young adults, get involved in the political process and express support for or against a cause or a candidate.

“We had a failure to recognize the importance of online political speech, especially to the younger generation,” Bissonnette said. “The First Amendment needs to be guarded rigorously. These old laws cannot and should not be applied to the modern technology.”

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill last month that repeals a 125-year-old law barring voters from showing people their marked ballots. It goes into effect after the November election, but legislative analysists have found no occasion of the ban being enforced — and it hasn’t stopped people from sharing photos of their 2016 ballots.

Colorado started mailing ballots this week in the all-mail presidential election, and some ballot selfies started popping up on social media. In response, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey on Thursday issued a reminder that publicizing completed ballots is a misdemeanor in the state.

The ACLU criticized his statement as potential voter intimidation. Morrissey’s spokeswoman told reporters he had no plans to comb social media looking for folks posting ballot selfies, saying authorities investigate only in response to a complaint.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring issued a formal opinion last month that nothing in Virginia law prohibits voters from taking pictures of themselves, fellow voters or their ballot within the polling place.

“This is a product of the times we live in,” said Democratic New Jersey Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, who has sponsored a measure to allow ballot selfies. “If voters want to express their pride in participating in our democracy by voting or tout their political preferences on social media, they should be entitled to do so.”

Clarissa Livingstone, 26, of Toms River, said she doesn’t understand concerns raised over ballot selfies. She doesn’t believe people would be influenced by seeing ballot photos that she or anyone else might post.

“People are so rigid in their political beliefs these days,” Livingstone said, “they’re not going to change their votes once they see how some Jersey girl voted.”

14 responses to “Posting ballot selfies: Personal choice or illegal act?”

  1. stanislous says:

    I’d like to see a selfie of those Hollywood celebs who say they will leave the country if Trump wins. Do they really vote for Hillary, or are they just trying to make goodie-goodie with the other celebs? Do they even vote? LOL LOL LOL

    • Corruption says:

      Hillary Clinton Resume:

      Lying and Attacking Catholics

      Lying & making Countries Pay to Play

      Lying & Running Secret Arms to Libya

      Lying & Threatening to Drone Julian Assange

      Lying and Abusing the Clinton Foundation for Profit

      Lying and Abusing Power as Secretary of State

      Lying & Rigging the DNC Nomination

      Lying & having a illegal Private Server

      Lying and Deleting Classified / Top Secret E-mails

      Lying & Profiting Millions from Russia on Uranium

      Lying and Dozen’s of People Dying

      Lying & Never Dodging Sniper Fire

      Lying & Enabling Her Rapist / Cheating Husband

      Lying & Saying Chelsea was jogging around the WTC on 911

      Lying on the Benghazi Committee & Letting 4 Americans Die

      Lying & Her & her Husband looting the White House

      Lying and Profiting from Filegate

      Lying and taking $ from Chingate

      Lying and taking $ from Pardongate

      Lying and taking $ from Travelgate

      Lying about Watergate & being Fired

      Lying & having Vince Foster Killed

      Lying and Defending a Child Rapist

      Lying and Concealing Rose Law Firm Billing RECORDS

      No More Clinton’s !!!

      TRUMP / PENCE 2016!!!

    • klastri says:

      They vote, yes.

      And I’m glad you’re so easily amused. Good for you!

  2. MoiLee says:

    “Selfies”are a Good way,but not Fail Safe! If voting “Absentee”,i suggest making a completed copy of your voting ballot before mailing in! And don’t forget, by Nov 5th is the latest! Or if voting at the precincts by using your smart phone is another way! Take a photo of your signed name on the Voter ledger!
    Fraud is in clear present danger! Especially with the Dems allowing, No ID, Felons, Illegals and “Dead People” voting. And don’t forget Busing people from other states to vote! They’ll try anything!
    See something report it!
    Hawaii has a fairly good voting system in the Union ,it’s not perfect,and yes some areas needs to be fortified (Fill-up Da-Puka’s) to prevent voter fraud ! Let keep the integrity of our voting rights safe,fair for ALL Americans either Left or Right or Blue or Red. Go Vote! Imua

  3. noheawilli says:

    No I am not voting for walls or wars

  4. wrightj says:

    …as if anyone would want to see these selfies; except the one taking the selfie, of course.

  5. iwanaknow says:

    Power to da people…..stick it to da Man!

  6. Crackers says:

    Just like Unions want card check, why not allow vote check. LOL!

  7. postmanx says:

    in the primary election I was told it was prohibited, by a state of Hawaii election worker, to take photos in the polling place. Is this true?

  8. Eradication says:

    Honoring my fellow veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom to participate in a free election. Today I filled out my absentee ballot and cast my vote for the next POTUS. Proud to be American.

  9. WizardOfMoa says:

    Selfies, the ultimate egotistical promotional of self! Kids, sometimes a bit of mystery of oneself is a good thing!

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