Are Ballot Selfies Legal In Illinois Or Iowa?

The big election is about a month away.

If you've checked social media literally ever, you've probably seen at least one of your friends post something alluding to which political party they plan to vote for. And as with every election since probably 2012, did you actually vote if you didn't take a selfie at the polling station?

And now early voting is on the docket and we're getting stuff in the mail about it. If you really want to post your ballot on social media and let the planet know who you voted for, can you?

Iowa's Take On Ballot Selfies

According to Yahoo News, for the 2024 election, ballot selfies are legal in Iowa.

But.

Iowa Code says that you can't post a picture of your ballot if it "interferes with other voters or the orderly operation of the polling location". So if your 500 attempts at a good selfie are holding up the line, just take a pic with the 'I Voted' sticker and move on.

Illinois Really Hates Them

Illinois is very against residents taking ballot selfies, to the point that taking ballot selfies is a felony in Illinois.

It's a Class 4 felony, which can carry 1-3 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000.

Yikes. Not worth the likes.

If you're thinking that sounds way too intense, there's a reason behind the law. It's meant to deter shady vote-buying (so posting the ballot selfie in exchange for cash). Illinois almost overturned this ban in 2017 but it didn't happen so it remains in place.

Basically, for sake of logistics in Iowa and to not get your tail in prison in Illinois, it's smartest to just take a selfie with the 'I Voted' sticker outside of the polling place or in your car.