Are New Yorkers allowed to take pictures of their ballot?

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) – You ask, we answer!

Q: Can I take a picture of my ballot?

In New York state, it depends on the results of the vote. According to the New York State Election Commission, photographing a empty voting is allowed.

“Photography at the polling place or with a blank ballot is permitted, but voters must not disturb poll workers or other voters,” a New York State Election Commission official said in an email.

Here in New York, it is illegal to take a picture of a completed ballot showing who you voted for.

The New York Board of Elections sent the following information on the subject:

New York State Election Law (17-130(10)) prohibits the voter from taking a picture with or with the completed ballot. The purpose of this law, passed long before cell phones/personal cameras became the norm, was to prevent voter coercion/intimidation or vote buying (ie showing a completed ballot to another person to prove that the person voted a certain way).

Language includes, “Any person who … shows his ballot paper after it has been prepared for voting to any person to reveal its contents, or requires the voter to show the same … is guilty of an offence.”

At least 14 states have made it illegal take a selfie with ballots, reports Foundation for the protection of rights and self-expression of the individual.

Many New York lawmakers have tried to change the current photo ballot law.

Senate Bill S661 was introduced in the 2023-2024 legislative session. The Summary states: “Allows voters to take photos of themselves and their ballot or absentee ballot while in a private voting booth, and to share and distribute such photos on social media.”

The bill did not make it out of committee.