New Jersey

New Jersey Assembly Approves Bill on Voter-Posted Ballot Selfies

Several states have moved to allow ballot selfies, but laws nationwide are mixed on whether voters can take pictures of themselves with their completed ballots.

The New Jersey Assembly has approved a bill that would allow voters to post ballot selfies on social media sites.

But the proposal, approved by a 74-2 vote Thursday, remains in limbo because an identical measure introduced in the state Senate last year was withdrawn by its primary sponsor and it's not clear if that bill will be reintroduced.

Several states have moved to allow ballot selfies, but laws nationwide are mixed on whether voters can take pictures of themselves with their completed ballots.

Critics say some laws have not kept up with technology and are confusing for voters and election workers.

But 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 they acknowledge they have no evidence to support those fears.

New Jersey law prohibits people from asking a voter to show them their ballot or inspecting ballots during or after an election. The measure approved by the Assembly doesn't remove these prohibitions but provides that they wouldn't be interpreted to prohibit a voter from voluntarily taking photos of their own ballots and sharing them on social media sites.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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