Photography in the polling place?!

[grapejohnson]

Is photography allowed in the polling place? I got stopped while composing a shot of two election workers and felt like there was something wrong about that. Anyone know the legalities?

 

[kmallick]

I don't know the legalities, but I saw signs everywhere that photography was not allowed anywhere inside the polling booth I went to this morning.

 

[paulfish4570]

standard for inside, to protect the sanctity of the secret ballot. with today's bubble-in ballots in so many states, a photo could show how someone is voting as he is bubbling in his ballot.

 

[Terry Christian]

State laws differ, but yeah, what paulfish said about its not being allowed inside the polling place. Otherwise, for example, employers could threaten employees' jobs if they don't vote a certain way, using images of the ballot as proof.

 

[grapejohnson]

That makes sense. I live in Pennsylvania. I should have looked it up before hand, I just figured it would be a good photo op. Makes sense as a blanket rule, although I only had two poll workers sitting at a table in the frame. Next time I'll be better prepared.

 

[grapejohnson]

The rules and specifics for each state can be found here:
http://www.citmedialaw.org/state-law-documenting-vote-2012

 

[grapejohnson]

Apparently in Pennsylvania there is no law specifically prohibiting photography inside of the polling place, so long as you keep the contents of others' ballots secret.

 

[zauhar]

Uh, is there not a curtain around the actual voting machine? There certainly was where I voted this morning (in Philadelphia, PA). I can't imagine any state setting things up so I can actually see how another person is voting.

Now, bringing your camera into the booth to surprise an unwitting voter would be a truly exceptional example of guerilla photography!

Randy

 

[dasuess]

Uh, is there not a curtain around the actual voting machine? There certainly was where I voted this morning (in Philadelphia, PA). I can't imagine any state setting things up so I can actually see how another person is voting.

Not the case where I voted this morning. While there were "booth", if you can call them that, there were also long tables where you could sit and fill out your ballot. This I assume to deal with the high turnout we have for presidential elections here in the Land of 10K Lakes.

 

[Beemermark]

Uh, is there not a curtain around the actual voting machine?

Not in North Carolina

 

[KoNickon]

In Hartford CT there are no more voting machines -- I am surprised to hear they're still being used anywhere. I always liked them but they're becoming very hard to keep in good working order.

With paper ballots you have small stations where you can ostensibly fill the card out privately, but at some point you then have to insert the card into a reader -- so someone who really wants to see how you voted might be able to.

But to the original premise -- is there any point to taking a picture inside a polling place?

 

[TXForester]

With paper ballots you have small stations where you can ostensibly fill the card out privately, but at some point you then have to insert the card into a reader -- so someone who really wants to see how you voted might be able to.

Kept mine covered till just before inserting in the machine.

I would think photos outside of the polling station would be OK as long as you are standing on public property.

 

[grapejohnson]

But to the original premise -- is there any point to taking a picture inside a polling place?

Why not? This is a big election. I've never been able to take pictures of something "big" happening. Why take pictures of anything?

 

[Steveh]

There's a whole series taken in various polling booths up on Lenscratch (worth a look if you're not allergic to "fine art photography") today so someone was able to do it:

http://www.lenscratch.com/2012/11/michael-mergen-vote.html

 

[Spavinaw]

Just voted a couple of hours ago here in Alabama. A father took a picture of his son who was obviously voting in his first presidential election. The son was holding his completed ballot in its privacy folder. Nobody said a word.

 

[willie_901]

No signs prohibiting photography inside the polling location here. I took a bunch inside this morning. A couple are on my flicker stream right now.

 

[zauhar]

Thanks for the education guys, I had no idea that some folks were 'exposed' while voting.

Randy

 

[sepiareverb]

Here in Vermont it varies. I lived in a tiny town for years and voted in either the closet or bathroom (unisex, single bowl) of the town clerks office if I wanted privacy. Total population of 300 or so, with a huge percentage of those eligible voting. Paper ballots there, marked with pencil and counted by hand by our select board and other town officials. Results phoned into the state. Many local races and questions were voted by voice vote during our annual town meeting.

Here in town we have many square tables with dividers to make up 4 small stations on each table. We vote on paper ballots marked with a pen, and counted by machine. My polling place is a Catholic School gymnasium.

As to photos. I didn't bring a camera today. I brought the dog.