Selfies are one of the most popular ways to take pictures today, whether you’re on vacation, at a football game, or hanging out with a friend. However, selfies can cause a lot of trouble. It’s been known that people have even died trying to take the perfect selfie. Although most people wouldn’t dare to do anything death defying for a selfie, even a selfie that you would think is harmless could get you a hefty fine and even some jail time.
There has been some controversy over taking selfies in the voting booth and whether it is protected through the First Amendment or if it threatens the integrity of the voting process. Some argue that posting selfies in the voting booth influences and promotes the ability to vote amongst teenagers and will improve voter turnout. Others argue that it promotes vote buying and could influence people’s votes. The famous app, Snapchat, has weighed in on this controversy, saying that ballot selfies are a key part to the younger generation’s involvement in the voting process. Snapchat stated that the selfies are, “the latest way that voters, especially young voters, engage with the political process.” On the other side of the argument is New Hampshire’s secretary of state, Bill Gardner. According to the New York Times, Gardner argues that ballot selfies would promote vote buying and “corrupt forces that would seek to buy votes could demand evidence that the bought votes were actually cast.” Gardner believes that by not allowing people to show evidence of who they voted for then nobody would try to buy their vote.
Ballot selfies are considered illegal in 18 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Taking selfies in these states could come with fines and jail sentences up to three years.
One famous case of the controversial ballot selfie happened recently when Justin Timberlake posted a picture of himself inside the voting booth in Memphis, Tennessee, trying to encourage people to go out and vote early. However, ballot selfies are illegal in Tennessee. Taking a selfie in the voting booth in Tennessee could leave you with a $50 fine and 30 days in jail. Timberlake’s selfie was under review, but he didn’t end up with any charges. Although, it helped bring light to the question if the selfies are a protected freedom or if it compromises a fair election.
