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Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will ask voters to remove "ballot selfies" posted online

Posted at 11:27 PM, Oct 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-21 07:16:44-04

“Ballot selfies” that involve a completed ballot are illegal and the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections told News 5 that voters who post them online will be asked to remove them. 

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Pat McDonald explained that Ohio Revised Code Section 3599.20 was created before the dawn of the social media age and was implemented to help prevent bribery at the polls. 

“Because that was your proof to show how you voted to get a reward or get compensated in some manner,” McDonald explained. 

Photography is allowed in polling precincts and taking photos of uncompleted ballots is acceptable, but taking snapshots of completed ballots is where voters can cross the line.

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s Office told News 5 that they’re taking the age of the law into account. 

“So we’ve recommended the county boards seek an opinion from their local prosecutor as they are the ones who would need to interpret and enforce the section,” said Press Secretary Joshua Eck, in an email. 

McDonald said voters will not be arrested but the BOE will be monitoring social media. 

“I will track down that individual call them tell them about the law and tell them to remove it,” McDonald said. 

Cases of voters who refused to comply will be referred to the Cuyahoga Co. Prosecutor’s Office. 

“We encourage you if you want to get excited about that to take a picture of your unvoted ballot,” McDonald said.