Can I Take a Selfie With My Maryland Ballot?

ANNAPOLIS, MD — For those Maryland voters who can't call it Election Day without a picture of themselves with their completed ballot or a "selfie" photograph of the completed ballot, you should know snapping that picture is against state law. But you probably won't get in trouble if you do grab a selfie, a state elections official told Patch.

The explanation is a bit complicated, and it's important since early voting begins in Maryland on Thursday, Oct. 27. If you missed the voter registration deadline earlier this month, good news: You can still register to vote at an early voting site.

According to state law, no technology devices are allowed in polling places, so taking cell phone photos of a completed ballot in a Maryland polling place is banned. It is permissible, however to take a photo of a ballot before mailing one in. Members of the media can photograph ballots, but they cannot take images that show how someone votes. All clear?

Donna Duncan with the Maryland State Board of Elections says generally speaking the state ban on use of electronic devices becomes somewhat of an issue every election. But there's not much officials can do to prevent cell phone selfies in the voting booth. Local officials will act if they notice behavior that is disruptive, or if there is a complaint at the polls.

“There are signs posted in the polling place that say no technology devices in polling places,” Duncan said.

Maryland Gets Ready to Vote in 2016 Presidential Election

According to a review by The Associated Press, 18 states have laws against sharing any photo of your ballot, and six states ban photography in polling places (although they do permit "selfies" of mail-in ballots).

In neighboring Virginia, Attorney General Mark Herring issued a formal opinion last month that says ballot selfies are legal in the state, the AP says. Nothing in Virginia law prohibits voters from taking pictures of themselves, fellow voters or their ballot within the polling place, he said.

Maryland Early Voting Dates

Early voting is available in Maryland for this year's presidential election, which can help ease lines at the polls on Nov. 8 and allow residents to vote at the time that best fits into their schedule.

Voters can cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, through Thursday, Nov. 3. To find early voting locations in your county, see a list of the 2016 General early voting sites (PDF).

Voters will choose between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump and also elect a United States senator to replace the retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski, other members of Congress and state legislators. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

To register and vote during the early-voting period, go to an early-voting center in the county where you live and bring a document that proves where you live. This document can be your MVA-issued license, ID card, change of address card, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or other government document with your name and new address.

Residents should become familiar with the new, paper-based, digital image scan voting system before arriving at their polling place. Voters will now mark their selections with a pen on paper ballots prior to inserting them in the scanner for tabulation.

For more election information, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website at http://elections.state.md.us.

Photo by Ellen De Vos, Flickr/Creative Commons