A Portage man's lawsuit to be allowed to take a selfie of himself and his ballot in the voting booth has been settled, according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The deal is awaiting court approval.

The deal has both parties agreeing to drop the suit to dismiss the case. Afterwards voters get to take a photograph of their own ballot "but only while in the voting booth. The agreement doesn’t affect other prohibitions on photography in the area where voting is occurring or sharing ballot images within 100 feet from the polling place (the buffer zone where electioneering is prohibited)", the Secretary of State's release said.

“We reached a resolution that allows voters to have a full opportunity to express themselves, while at the same time ensuring that voters retain the ability to vote in private and without disruption or discomfort. As Michigan’s chief election officer, I am committed to policies that encourage and support voter participation and engagement, along with elections that run smoothly and securely.” - Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson

You Can: Under the settlement agreement, take a photograph of your own ballot but only while you are within the voting booth.

You Can't:  Take “selfies” of yourself, either in the voting booth or anywhere within the area where people are voting. Nor can you take any other type of photograph within the area where people are voting. You also cannot share images of a voted ballot within 100 feet from the polling place (that is the buffer zone where electioneering is prohibited.

The case, Crookston v. Johnson, was filed in 2016 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids.

 

 

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