Selfies Take To The Voting Booth

The rise of social media altered a lot of things: how companies market to consumers, general frequency of face-to-face interaction, pairing hashtags with words and now the vote. And Snapchat has something to say about it.

Voters taking selfies of their completed ballot sparked recent controversy over whether this act should be legal. Snapchat and others argue that these photos are covered under freedom of speech. Those who oppose the issue believe that such photos may compromise elections.

Related Link: 3 Ways To Build An Election-Proof Portfolio

A federal case is underway to decide whether snapping selfies in the voting booth will be illegal.

In the brief amicus curiae, the argument is laid out as follows: "[E]lections have always been a social affair. Digital media and ballot selfies are simply the latest way that voters, especially young voters, engage with the political process and show their civic pride. The ballot selfie may be a new method of expression, but it's an expression as old as the Republic itself. The State's clumsy bid to ban it is unconstitutional and should be struck down."

Needless to say, it looks like social media is once again channeling change.

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Posted In: NewsPoliticsLegalTechMediaGeneralfreedom of speechSelfiesSnapChatVotingvoting booth
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