Why are ballot selfies illegal in some states?

[NightWatcher]

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/10/25/13389980/ballot-selfie-legal-illegal

Why the ballot selfie is so controversial
Ballot selfies, however innocent they may seem, have become a heated topic of debate.

Proponents argue that the selfies are "good for democracy" and are protected under free speech. Moreover, the pro-selfie crowd asserts that these photos boost young voter turnout. Studies have shown that Facebook users are more inclined to vote after seeing their friends post about voting on social media.

Those in opposition claim that ballot selfies could "compromise elections" by encouraging vote buying. That is, a person who is being paid to vote a certain way can easily, and privately, prove she did so by taking a photo of her ballot.

As a result, America is divided on the ballot selfie.

My guess when looking at where they are illegal for the most part is that they encourage young (read Democratic leaning) to vote, share their experience, and encourage others to go vote as well.

Oh, and I don't care if it's illegal, I'll be taking pics when I vote tomorrow. I'm actually going to let my 5 year old daughter fill in the oval and cast my vote (and her first) for the first female President of the United States. Don't worry, I'll double check to make sure it is correct.

Will you take a ballot selfie, and is it legal where you will be voting?

[jberryhill]

1. People are taking pictures of absentee ballots with serial codes on them.

[Wilms]

2. Or a Trump supporting spouse could threaten a Clinton supporting spouse.

So that, and vote buying would be good reasons to not have it.

What are the benefits??

[surrealAmerican]

3. There is a fear that, if you can take a picture ...

... that somebody (your employer, perhaps) might want to see it, and reward or penalize you because of it. Even though that would be illegal, it could be hard to prove, so it is easier just to ban camera use in polling places.

It is apparently illegal in my state. Even if it wasn't, it is not something I would do.

[unblock]

4. (a) it allows vote buying, as the article mentions (b) it helps abusers control spousal votes

i see some limited upside to allowing vote selfies, but on balance i think there's more potential for harm than good.

[NightWatcher]

7. If I wanted to buy a vote or control my spouse, I do it with absentee ballots

That way you'd have complete control of their ballot.

[LeftInTX]

5. Sample ballots are available where I live

I've taken them home before to pour over and pre-fill my choices. A selfie can be taken that way.

In Texas signs indicate that all electronic devices be turned off before entering the polling place.

[frazzled]

6. Since electioneering is not allowed within X feet of a polling place

And that includes people wearing buttons, etc. ... it makes sense to me that "electronic electioneering" via selfies should be excluded from the polling place as well. It's simply updating the prohibition on election activities at polling places for the digital age.

Who wants to do that anyway? I am getting so tired of the endless self-promotion of people taking pictures of themselves, or endlessly taking pictures of an event instead of actually BEING at the event. So you voted, that's nice. Why would anyone want to see a picture of you and your ballot? Take a picture of yourself outside with a sign saying you voted, if you must. But in America, our ballots are secret for a reason: to avoid intimidation from others. I cherish that secrecy, and everyone should see it as their right.

I didn't even know people did this.

[LisaM]

8. I know, it's weird.

If you must take a picture of yourself after you voted, do outside the actual booth.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

11. I would be tempted to take a video if the machine kept switching my vote(s).

Other than that, it seems silly.

My voting machine made a loud noise when I voted for Hillary! It never made that noise again for my other choices. On the other hand, the Presidential choice was the first one, so maybe that's normal?

The print-out later showed all of my choices were recorded correctly (at least on paper), so whatever.

[lame54]

12. The spouse who secretly votes the opposite way...

can be double-checked - not cool