AP16:150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2016
CONTACT:
Jesse Melgar or Sam Mahood
(916) 653-6575
Secretary of State Padilla Statement on “Ballot Selfie” Ruling
SACRAMENTO – Today, a federal court judge denied a request to allow “ballot selfies” for California’s November 8, 2016 General Election.
“As Secretary of State, I have made it my mission to encourage participation in our elections and I appreciate Californians’ desire to show their civic pride in casting a ballot. However, today’s ruling means that “ballot selfies” are not authorized for the November 8, 2016 General Election,” California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “We need to embrace the use of technology as a way to encourage civic participation. That's why I supported a new law that is paving the way for “ballot selfies” to be permitted under state law. This new law will go into effect on January 1, 2017. In the meantime, voters can still take a selfie with their ‘I Voted’ sticker.”
“Californians can still use their smartphones at the polls. Many voters use their smartphones to access their sample ballot or notes they have made about candidates and ballot measures,” Padilla added.
AB 1494, which will permit “ballot selfies” was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown earlier this year.
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