With midterm elections happening today, it's an important time for Millennials to defend their rights. So don't be afraid to snap a post-voting selfie— at least that's the message behind a new lawsuit against the ban of ballot selfies in New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that the ban on ballot selfies violates our First Amendment right.
"There is no more potent way to communicate one's support for a candidate than to voluntarily display a photograph of one's marked ballot depicting one's vote for that candidate," the lawsuit says.
In June, New Hampshire became one of the many states to update pre-existing laws that make it illegal for voters to take a digital photo of themselves with a marked ballot that is then shared on social media platforms. Those who break the law could be fined $1,000 or even serve jail time.
But in the age of social media, and as a way to encourage more voters to hit the booths, the law does not sit well with many Americans. New Hampshire Rep. Leon Rideout, one of the plaintiffs in the suit, said that he tweeted his ballot selfie "to make a statement." Seeing others voting may inspire Generation X to make their voices heard in an expression of freedom. What better way then share the experience on popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
"What this law ignores is that displaying a photograph of a marked ballot on the Internet is a powerful form of political speech that conveys various constitutionally protected messages that have no relationship to vote buying or voter coercion," the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit gives a strong message that voters have a First Amendment right to express ourselves on social media.
[PHOTO CREDIT: Vox Efx]
