Voting Selfies Forbidden During California's Upcoming Election According to Federal Judge
In the United States, the legality of taking and sharing photos of marked ballots, known as ballot selfies, varies by state, with some allowing it under cautionary guidelines while others enforce bans backed by legal proceedings.
### California Allows Ballot Selfies with Caution
In Santa Clara County, California, voters are permitted to take ballot selfies and share them on social media, provided they do not violate other laws such as disclosing another person’s ballot or interrupting the voting process. Voters are advised to hide personal information on the ballot (like name and address) before sharing images to protect privacy and be mindful that others in voting centers might not want to be photographed.
### North Carolina's Ban on Ballot Selfies Faces Ongoing Legal Challenge
North Carolina has a ban on ballot selfies that has led to a federal lawsuit. Plaintiff Susan Hogarth is challenging state and local officials who tried to bar her from taking and sharing ballot selfies during the 2024 election. As of July 2025, both sides in this case are seeking to have the matter decided without a trial, indicating active legal scrutiny of the ban.
### Georgia's Ballot Selfie Laws Unclear
The provided information does not specifically address ballot selfie laws in Georgia, suggesting no recent notable legal developments reported regarding ballot selfies in the state from the sources.
### A Tension Between Voter Privacy and Freedom of Expression
The discussion about ballot selfies implies a tension between voter privacy and freedom of expression. Legal stances can vary widely state-by-state, with some allowing it under cautionary guidelines, while others enforce bans backed by legal proceedings.
### The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Argues for Freedom of Expression
The ACLU has argued that these laws are outdated and violate freedom of expression.
### Undocumented Immigrants in California Contribute Significantly to the State's Economy
Undocumented immigrants in California contribute $3.1 billion in state and local taxes and make up 37% of the state's workforce, amounting to 1.8 million undocumented immigrants. The current crisis involves 4,700 military personnel potentially being deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border, a move that is being challenged by undocumented immigrants in California.
### Ballot Selfies Allowed in California Starting 2017
Ballot selfies will be allowed at future elections in California but not before January 1, 2017. In some states, the legality of voting selfies is unclear, and there have been instances where celebrities may have broken laws without realizing it. Voters should always check their specific state laws and be mindful of privacy considerations when taking and sharing ballot photos.
- Discussions about ballot selfies demonstrate a tension between voter privacy and freedom of expression, with the American Civil Liberties Union arguing that existing laws are outdated and violate the latter.
- In California, the legality of ballot selfies dates back to 2017, allowing voters to share photos of their marked ballots as long as they follow cautionary guidelines and avoid disclosing personal information or disrupting the voting process.
