Where is it illegal to post a ballot selfie?

While it may sound fun to take a selfie with your completed ballot and then post it online to encourage others to follow your lead and do their civic duty, you could be running afoul of the law. In about half of U.S. states there are laws that restrict ballot selfies or even make them downright illegal.


Many of the state laws making photos of an individual’s completed ballot illegal were written out of concern for the integrity of the electoral process. Lawmakers were worried it could be seen as a violation of the right to a secret ballot. There were also concerns that such photos could be used as proof in illegal “paid to vote” schemes.


The 15 states in which it is completely illegal to photograph your completed ballot are Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and South Dakota. In Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, Wisconsin and Wyoming, the laws aren’t exactly clear on the legality of ballot photos. And in Arizona, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, it’s only legal to take a selfie with your completed ballot if you’re voting absentee or by mail.