US: Taking selfies while voting will result in jail time

Many states in the US prohibit taking selfies while voting.

“For years, I took pictures of my ballot, only to find out later that it was illegal,” said Nikola Jordan, a 33-year-old voter in Nebraska.

Illustration photo.

Jordan said it was “just to encourage other people to participate in the electoral process, to show that voting can be fun and that people listen to your voice [at the polling station].”

According to Vox, in the state of Nebraska, taking selfies is now considered legal, but in other states like Colorado, it is prohibited.

Blue states allow selfies while voting; pink states prohibit selfies while voting; gray states are unclear.

AP news agency recently reviewed the laws of 50 states in the US, related to the ban on taking selfies while voting.

The results show that 21 states (including Washington DC) allow taking photos in voting booths. In 16 other states, this behavior can be punished by fines or even imprisonment.

While taking selfies while voting may seem harmless, the practice is becoming a hot topic of debate in many places across the United States.

Supporters argue that selfies are 'good for democracy', and are protected under free speech. Furthermore, selfie advocates say the photos help encourage young voters to turn out.

A woman takes a photo of her ballot, 2014. Photo: VOX

Studies show that Facebook users are more likely to vote after seeing their friends post pictures of themselves voting on social media.

Opponents say that ballot box selfies can 'harm elections' by encouraging vote buying, and that a person paid to vote can easily prove 'vote selling' by taking a photo of their ballot.

In general, many states in the northwestern US support selfies, while many states in the south strongly oppose them.

According to Vietnamnet