Can I Take a Ballot Selfie?

A ballot selfie seems harmless, but whether it is legal genuinely depends on where you vote — and getting it wrong can, in a few states, be a violation.

What the Law Says

As of the 2024 election:

• About 28 states allow you to photograph your own marked ballot.
• A few more allow it for mail-in/absentee ballots only.
• Roughly 15 states prohibit photographing your completed ballot.

The bans are legally contested. Courts have struck some down as violations of free speech — a federal appeals court found New Hampshire’s ballot-selfie ban unconstitutional, and similar challenges have succeeded elsewhere. Other states still enforce their bans.

One rule is consistent everywhere: do not photograph someone else’s ballot. Even states that allow your own selfie forbid capturing or revealing another voter’s choices.

An Everyday Example

In a state that allows it, you can snap a photo of your own ballot in the booth. In Texas, you generally cannot — Texas restricts using a phone or other device within 100 feet of a voting station. Because the rules flip from state to state, a selfie that is fine in one place can be a violation next door.

What This Means for You

If you want a ballot selfie, check your state’s rule first — and even where it is allowed, keep the camera on your own ballot only. When in doubt, take your “I Voted” sticker photo outside the polling place instead.