WBIW.com News - state

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Ruling Striking Down "Ballot Selfie" Ban Raises Questions

Last updated on Wednesday, August 19, 2015

(UNDATED) - A new Indiana law prohibits posting a selfie of your ballot. But a federal judge has struck down a similar law in the only other state that has one.

Indiana and New Hampshire argued the ban on ballot selfies is a protection against vote-buying, to prevent you from offering photos as proof you held up your end.

The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of two candidates who took pictures of their votes for themselves, and on behalf of a voter who posted a photo of his write-in vote -- for his dog.

A judge says the law violates free speech rights.

Avon Senator Pete Miller (R) wrote Indiana's ban -- he contends the judge is misreading case law by characterizing the restriction as content-based. ACLU Indiana legal director Ken Falk says a law restricting speech needs to be more narrowly tailored. But he says no one's complained to the Indiana ACLU about it. If someone seeks to challenge it, he says he'll review it more closely.

The provision was part of a broader package of changes to election law, which also loosened restrictions on using your cell phone in a polling place.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page