Taking a picture in a polling booth

EaSwe

Slightly OT Q: Can you take a pic of someone (yourself) casting their vote? i.e putting the folded ballot paper into the ballot box, like the pictures we see of politicians casting their votes at election time? Would i need to mention it to polling station staff or would it be a total no no?

PopePalpatine

No, you can't take a picture of yourself casting your ballot.

I don't know why an exception is made for politicians, maybe someone else can clarify that for you?

C14N

EaSwe wrote: »

Slightly OT Q: Can you take a pic of someone (yourself) casting their vote? i.e putting the folded ballot paper into the ballot box, like the pictures we see of politicians casting their votes at election time? Would i need to mention it to polling station staff or would it be a total no no?

I'm sure it's not illegal but they probably don't want to be dealing with this stuff from everyone who comes in to vote.

seamus

The politicians photocalls are carefully orchestrated.

The polling station is considered a private place, the concern with photography is that another member of the public may be inadvertently caught in the shot. In politicians' photoshoots they're very careful to not capture unwitting people in the shot.

The privacy of the ballot is very important, this includes privacy about whether you voted or not.

johnnyskeleton

Interesting question OP, moved from the other thread

I've heard it's a criminal offence in the UK, but not sure about here. Maybe it could be called "taking a Votie"

BoJack Horseman

I can imagine that this type of referendum will have a lot of 'voting selfies' & the like.

This will be the first ballot where mom & I will be voting with my infant son.

Would it be technically be a no-no if I took a picture of him holding the voting pencil or the like?

Zubeneschamali

One reason for banning photography is to stop people buying votes, and getting a photo of your ballot before paying.

aunt aggie

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/q-a-how-to-vote-no-selfies-and-leave-the-badge-at-home-1.2218688

This should answer your questions. No photos of how you voted can be taken. It's to maintain a secret ballot and in theory, your vote could be spoiled if you're taking pictures in the voting booth. Has that ever happened?

PopePalpatine

I'd guess an exception is made for politicians casting a ballot because it's assumed with a high degree of certainty who or what they're voting for: either themselves and any running mates or whatever side they're supporting in a referendum.

L1011

PopePalpatine wrote: »

I'd guess an exception is made for politicians casting a ballot because it's assumed with a high degree of certainty who or what they're voting for: either themselves and any running mates or whatever side they're supporting in a referendum.

What about the nuns, though? There's always photos of nuns voting....

BoJack Horseman

L1011 wrote: »

What about the nuns, though? There's always photos of nuns voting....

Google image search for "Bride voting"....

Literally billions of results.

L1011

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

Google image search for "Bride voting"....

Literally billions of results.

Feck, forgot about that one. ALWAYS a photo of a bride in full train voting too. That one's always over the ballot box whereas the nuns may be traipsing in the door depending on the photographer...

Miaireland

I read yesterday in one of the papers that it is not allowed and that potentially you can be proscuted for doing so.

The paper also said that you can not wear vote yes/no badges or t-shirt at the polling station or within a certain distance of the polling station.

Larbre34

I worked the Sheriffs elections staff before. No photos, no literature, no symbols, no posters within 100m of the polling station. The media are facilitated for reasons of transparency with candidates etc, but they have a strict protocol and must get permission from any voter in shot at the time

uck51js9zml2yt

Its against the law to take a selfie in the polling station as it may breach the confidentiality of the poll.
If you are caught you may be subject to a fine/prison or both.

The press are allowed but only under careful regulation and no faces can be taken inside the station.
Where politicians get photos taken its carefully orchestrated.

And more importantly...If I catch you doing so tomorrow I'll use my powers to instruct a Garda to arrest you ...and you thought Mods were killjoys

pmasterson95

Oh no but without a selfie whats the point of voting
#ohno #butwhataboutmyselfie
#relfie

Sheldons Brain

pmasterson95 wrote: »

Oh no but without a selfie whats the point of voting
#ohno #butwhataboutmyselfie
#relfie

There will be hundreds of these lawbreakers tomorrow, 95% of them on the yes side.

Ozymandius2011

I'm concerned that the gadget mania of young people could cost some of them their votes if some try to take selfies indoors.

seamus

Sheldons Brain wrote: »

There will be hundreds of these lawbreakers tomorrow, 95% of them on the yes side.

Young people voting. Ugh, how disgusting. How dare they have opinions and use them.

Fr Tod Umptious

seamus wrote: »

Young people voting. Ugh, how disgusting. How dare they have opinions and use them.

But if they are taking pictures in the polling station they are beaking the law, regardless of age.

PeteFalk78

Why even take a picture in a polling booth?
For Facebook likes?

Zubeneschamali

PeteFalk78 wrote: »

Why even take a picture in a polling booth?
For Facebook likes?

Exactly - lots of young people are accustomed to post up a pic of anything even mildly interesting that happens. Their lunch. A z-list celeb they saw in Grafton St. Some graffiti.

And now, here is their first actual vote, or the first one they care about, at least. Of course they are going to put it on facebook or pinterest or wherever it is the cool kids hang out these days.

PeteFalk78

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Exactly - lots of young people are accustomed to post up a pic of anything even mildly interesting that happens. Their lunch. A z-list celeb they saw in Grafton St. Some graffiti.

And now, here is their first actual vote, or the first one they care about, at least. Of course they are going to put it on facebook or pinterest or wherever it is the cool kids hang out these days.

Banality in the extreme. People will do anything nowadays for a few Facebook likes - including breaking the law.

seamus

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

But if they are taking pictures in the polling station they are beaking the law, regardless of age.

Actually I don't think that's entirely correct.

In the UK it seems to be, but I don't think the question is settled here in Ireland. I guess it would need a test case.

Zubeneschamali

PeteFalk78 wrote: »

Banality in the extreme. People will do anything nowadays for a few Facebook likes - including breaking the law.

I think Facebook is a bit old-fashioned at this stage - too many oul' ones following their grandchildren.

ocli64

I''m fairly sure it's perfectly legal to take a photo as long as it's not in the booth and showing which way you voted. That being said there are going to be people scouring facebook for such posts I'm sure so why take the risk? I'd say ask the staff at the centre to be sure

endacl

Miaireland wrote: »

I read yesterday in one of the papers that it is not allowed and that potentially you can be proscuted for doing so.

The paper also said that you can not wear vote yes/no badges or t-shirt at the polling station or within a certain distance of the polling station.

I wonder if...



or



Would be OK?

pmasterson95

PeteFalk78 wrote: »

Why even take a picture in a polling booth?
For Facebook likes?

Dont forget Instagram or twitter gotta use those #hashtags #insta #equality #vote #pen #tick #marref #2015 #voteyes #2k15 #nofilter #swag

iano.p

I was voting in my local place today. When a lad was taking a picture of his wife putting her vote in the box. You couldn't see what she voted but the people there just said don't get any other voter in it.

aunt aggie

iano.p wrote: »

I was voting in my local place today. When a lad was taking a picture of his wife putting her vote in the box. You couldn't see what she voted but the people there just said don't get any other voter in it.

So its not just the young uns who needed warning

Milly33

Was half laughing at the no selfie add but this just goes to show..Why in the name of god would you want to take of yourself voting...Really I Don't Believe it..What has happened to people

Riskymove

seamus wrote: »

The politicians photocalls are carefully orchestrated.

The polling station is considered a private place, the concern with photography is that another member of the public may be inadvertently caught in the shot. In politicians' photoshoots they're very careful to not capture unwitting people in the shot.

The privacy of the ballot is very important, this includes privacy about whether you voted or not.

I also think there is a difference between a picture of you placing the paper in the box and actually showing how you voted.

It is the privacy of the booth that is the issue, not whether you actually voted.

Connorzee

Note David Norris' strategically positioned arms blocking polling station attendants... He's done this before!

Del.Monte

I photographed my ballot paper in the last Presidential election - and posted on Boards to prove that I voted for Dana - and nobody at the polling station batted an eyelid. I'm a nutter when it comes to voting and showed the officials my spoilt NO EU vote in a previous vote. I was listening to various people on the radio today and nobody could provide a definitive answer as to the legality or otherwise of photographing one's own ballot paper.

pmasterson95

Milly33 wrote: »

Was half laughing at the no selfie add but this just goes to show..Why in the name of god would you want to take of yourself voting...Really I Don't Believe it..What has happened to people

It would make a great profile picture.

uck51js9zml2yt

Del.Monte wrote: »

I photographed my ballot paper in the last Presidential election - and posted on Boards to prove that I voted for Dana - and nobody at the polling station batted an eyelid. I'm a nutter when it comes to voting and showed the officials my spoilt NO EU vote in a previous vote. I was listening to various people on the today and nobody could provide a definitive answer as to the legality or otherwise of photographing one's own ballot paper.

I stopped a person taking a photo of them casting their vote. The world didn't cave it

Del.Monte

Seamus Bald Receipt wrote: »

I stopped a person taking a photo of them casting their vote. The world didn't cave it

If a voter is in the booth and takes a picture nobody should be able to see them doing it anyway.

Milly33

I know but it is like voting is suppose to be a serious thing not something you plan around your profile pics or what not.Fine take one outside with all smiley faces and all that goes but in the stations its so sad, along with the entire selfie thing... whoever invented the selfie stick should be shot

pmasterson95

Milly33 wrote: »

I know but it is like voting is suppose to be a serious thing not something you plan around your profile pics or what not.Fine take one outside with all smiley faces and all that goes but in the stations its so sad, along with the entire selfie thing... whoever invented the selfie stick should be shot

#donthate #ujelly #selfie #profile #nofilter

Sheldons Brain

Del.Monte wrote: »

I photographed my ballot paper in the last Presidential election - and posted on Boards to prove that I voted for Dana - and nobody at the polling station batted an eyelid. I'm a nutter when it comes to voting and showed the officials my spoilt NO EU vote in a previous vote. I was listening to various people on the radio today and nobody could provide a definitive answer as to the legality or otherwise of photographing one's own ballot paper.

How immature can you get?

Del.Monte

Sheldons Brain wrote: »

How immature can you get?

Thank you. It's called not being controlled in my actions by anybody - you should try it. I think what I like, say what I like and do what I like - within the confines of the law. :P

johnnyskeleton

pmasterson95 wrote: »

#donthate #ujelly #selfie #profile #nofilter

Mod: Please read the charter before posting again

C14N

Milly33 wrote: »

Was half laughing at the no selfie add but this just goes to show..Why in the name of god would you want to take of yourself voting...Really I Don't Believe it..What has happened to people

People tend to take pictures of important events in their lives. This was a big day for a lot of people. Not going to pretend that many (maybe most) people who want a picture aren't doing it for the sake of likes and retweets and whatever else but it still seems like a pretty legitimate time to want to take a picture. The first time I voted when I was 18 my mother took a picture of me outside the school I voted in. It didn't go up on Facebook or anything, it was just to remember the day.

Milly33

But the sad thing is they probably are doing it because it is cool now to do things like this.. Outside is fine no problem with that just not inside

C14N

Milly33 wrote: »

But the sad thing is they probably are doing it because it is cool now to do things like this.. Outside is fine no problem with that just not inside

I dunno, when you put it like that I think it's kind of good that people think voting is what's "cool" enough to milk it for internet points, even if they're probably not going to make a habit of it going forward.

Milly33

No no no, see people should vote because they have the right too not because it is cool or not cool.. Oh it kills me to see what is happening to the youngins today ruined... All I have in my head is THEY BLEW IT UP