Are You Allowed to Take a Photo of Your Filled-In Ballot in Illinois?
November 3 is slowly but surely approaching.
Early voting has begun in Illinois! Have you registered to vote yet? You have until October 18 to register and you can do that HERE.
But just because 2020 has felt like there's no rules anymore, doesn't mean the rules of voting have changed. Maybe it's your first year voting and you don't know if you're allowed to show off your ballot or not. Well, here's the deal.
Taking a a picture of your ballot to show off is a no-go. IllinoisPolicy details -
Snapping a photo of your filled-in ballot and posting it on Facebook or Instagram is technically a Class 4 felony in Illinois, which comes with a prison sentence of one to three years and a maximum fine of $25,000. According to the Illinois Election Code, anyone who “knowingly” casts his or her ballot in a way that “can be observed by another person” is breaking the law.
But here's the catch, the state has never actually charged anyone for taking a photo of their ballot and sharing it on social media. So why is it still the law? According to IllinoisPolicy -
The intent behind the law is straightforward. It’s meant to deter vote-buying: showing the photo in exchange for cash.
So until the law changes you're better off sporting an “I Voted” sticker or taking a photo outside the polling place.
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