The question seems to resurface just about every election: Is it OK to snap a selfie with your ballot and show your preferred candidates some love on social media, or are you violating some arcane election law?
In at least 16 states, the practice is illegal , while in others the law is murky, according to a recent review by technology and electronics publication CNET.
To get the mystery out of the way for Kentuckians, ballot selfies here are generally OK in the Bluegrass State, provided you follow a few simple rules aimed at protecting voter privacy and the sanctity of our elections.
Can you take a picture of your ballot in Kentucky?
According to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office, the answer is yes.
“The voter can take the photo before or after they mark the ballot,” Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the office, confirmed to the Herald-Leader in an email.
One important caveat, according to Lindstrom, is the picture cannot be used as proof of a vote in exchange for a payment. In other words, vote buying or selling remains illegal. The practice has a long history in Kentucky , particularly in the eastern half of the state .
Another important requirement for ballot selfies is your photo must be limited to yourself and no one else.
In 2020, Secretary of State Michael Adams issued anti-voter intimidation guidance which clarified “no person allowed in the voting room, including precinct election officers, may use paper, telephones, personal communication devices, computer or other information technology systems to create a check-off list or record the identity of voters ,” except for official use.
This rule also extends to journalists. The news media is allowed to film and photograph voters to cover elections, but not reveal their identities.
So if you do want to take a picture with your ballot, just make sure you’re not including anyone else in that photo.
How can you vote in Kentucky?
The deadline to register to vote in Kentucky in time for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 General Election has come and gone. To check your registration status, which includes where you vote, visit the Kentucky Voter Information System . You’ll need to provide your legal first and last name and date of birth.
There are several ways you can vote in Kentucky, including:
In-person voting on Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. If you are in line by the time polls close, you will be allowed to vote.
Early in-person voting. Excused absentee voting for those who qualify will take place Wednesday, Oct. 23, Thursday, Oct. 24, Friday, Oct. 25, Monday, Oct. 28, Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Wednesday, Oct. 30. No-excuse absentee voting, meaning everyone is eligible, takes place Thursday, Oct. 31, Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. Check govote.ky.gov for locations in your county.
Vote absentee by mail. The online portal to request an absentee ballot by mail is now open. The last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 22. All mail-in ballots must be received by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day to be counted, so don’t wait until the last minute to send yours. Drop boxes are available in each county for absentee ballots.
Voters must meet the following requirements to be eligible to vote in Kentucky :
Be a U.S. citizen
Be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
Cannot have a felony conviction
Not have been judged “mentally incompetent” by a court
Not claim the right to vote outside Kentucky
There are approximately 3.5 million registered Republican, Democrat and Independent voters in Kentucky, according to data released by the state earlier this month.
Do you have a question about Kentucky elections for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
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