Photographing ballot paper

lyverbird1

Just wondering is it legal or illegal to photograph your own ballot paper? A friend posted a picture today on their FB account to show who they had voted for and a mini debate has now started as to the legality of photographing it. It's not of someone else's paper and nothing other than their own ballot features in the picture. I don't imagine there will be any fuss other than the aforementioned discussion but can anyone settle this one?

swim2

I dont think it is legal...not sure why though
I think I remember some problems over the general election where someone did the same thing

HivemindXX

I have no idea about here but in the US it is illegal because it opens the possibility of people selling their votes or being forced to vote a certain way.

If there is no proof of how you actually voted then neither can effectively work.

gizmo555

There is actually a photo of a ballot paper from one of Seán Gallagher's supporters on Gallagher's Facebook wall, showing how he voted.



While as far as I can see, the electoral acts don't specifically prohibit photographing completed ballot papers, they do go into some detail as to how the procedure for casting votes must ensure the secrecy of the ballots - you certainly cannot remove the ballot paper itself from the polling station.

ednwireland

gizmo555 wrote: »

There is actually a photo of a ballot paper from one of Seán Gallagher's supporters on Gallagher's Facebook wall, showing how he voted.



While as far as I can see, the electoral acts don't specifically prohibit photographing completed ballot papers, they do go into some detail as to how the procedure for casting votes must ensure the secrecy of the ballots - you certainly cannot remove the ballot paper itself from the polling station.

i think the worst thing there is having dana as no. 2

jimmycrackcorm

ednwireland wrote: »

i think the worst thing there is having dana as no. 2

How so? - That's a strategic vote not an indication of preference, bar McGuinness of course.

lugha

HivemindXX wrote: »

I have no idea about here but in the US it is illegal because it opens the possibility of people selling their votes or being forced to vote a certain way.

Surely there is also the problem that a photo could be used to forge the ballot paper? I am not so sure if the fine men and women sitting in our national schools around the country would necessarily notice if I slipped in a handful of additional ballot papers along with my legitimate one. Or does part of the counting process involve something to guard against this?

schemingbohemia

lugha wrote: »

Surely there is also the problem that a photo could be used to forge the ballot paper? I am not so sure if the fine men and women sitting in our national schools around the country would necessarily notice if I slipped in a handful of additional ballot papers along with my legitimate one. Or does part of the counting process involve something to guard against this?

The absence of the stamped holes would make it obvious it wasn't a valid vote so it would be spotted.

gizmo555

gizmo555 wrote: »

There is actually a photo of a ballot paper from one of Seán Gallagher's supporters on Gallagher's Facebook wall, showing how he voted.



While as far as I can see, the electoral acts don't specifically prohibit photographing completed ballot papers, they do go into some detail as to how the procedure for casting votes must ensure the secrecy of the ballots - you certainly cannot remove the ballot paper itself from the polling station.

Edit - nevermind his 7 looked like a 4 - I thought he voted 1 2 3 4 4 6

anymore

ednwireland wrote: »

i think the worst thing there is having dana as no. 2

It would seem to be quite consitent for FFer to also vote for dana, though from a practical point of view, I assume it is utterly no good to her as she will have been eliminated early on. Is that correct ?

Sully

I see he gave McD no 7, no surprise to knock the threat on the head. But jesus, voting Dana no.2?!?!

Cathal Healy

posted on Sean Gallaghers fb, by john Walshe. As far as I am aware, this is illegal.

blorg

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

How so? - That's a strategic vote not an indication of preference, bar McGuinness of course.

How is it strategic? The only way that vote will be transferred is if Gallagher is eliminated. Voting #2 for Dana or for Higgins does absolutely nothing for Gallagher. He is out of the game by that stage.

Cathal Healy

blorg wrote: »

How is it strategic? The only way that vote will be transferred is if Gallagher is eliminated. Voting #2 for Dana or for Higgins does absolutely nothing for Gallagher. He is out of the game by that stage.

To be fair, some people are a bit simple. If you look at the preferences they do seem to be from least likely to beat Gallagher, to most likely.

dav3

Cathal Healy wrote: »

posted on Sean Gallaghers fb, by john Walshe. As far as I am aware, this is illegal.

I would imagine so. The Gallagher supporters are going mad for their ballor paper photographs.
You can clearly see the punch marks, all it takes is one of those gombeens with a steady hand to take a clearer photo.

SeaFields

Lots of photos of ballot papers on Sean Gallaghers facebook.


As an aside Sean Gallaghers facebook page is halarious. Its a troll fest and lots are falling for it. Very amusing to check in every now and again.