SEATTLE — With March primary ballots starting to arrive in mailboxes, some people may want to take a picture of their completed ballot to share on social media.
The legality of ballot selfies, which gained popularity in democratic countries throughout the 2010s, depends on which state you are voting in.
Laws limiting ballot selfies were originally passed in an attempt to curtail vote buying. Some states have laws specifically allowing for ballot selfies, but in other states the photos can qualify as a misdemeanor charge.
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In Washington, according to the Secretary of State's Office, there are no laws explicitly banning ballot selfies.
A Q&A section on the Secretary of State’s Office website says: “The state of Washington does not directly prohibit ballot selfies. However, it is illegal to view another’s ballot for a purpose prohibited by law, such as vote buying.”
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