DENVER (AP) – A judge ruled that Colorado voters can post ballot selfies on social media sites, differing from recent federal court decisions on the laws just before Election Day.
U.S. District Judge Christine Arguello ruled late Friday that Colorado can’t enforce an 1891 law preventing voters from disseminating their marked ballots. The ruling said polling places may still enforce local rules banning photography due to privacy concerns. However, no resident will be prosecuted for sharing images of completed ballots on social media.
The order comes the same week that judges in New York and California upheld bans, saying changing the rules so close to the election would create confusion for voters and polling place workers.
Colorado election officials testified about those concerns. The judge said her ruling does not change existing elections laws.
Denver’s district attorney argued he would not bring charges against anyone who posted a ballot selfie.