New Jersey Senate Bill S1170

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Permits voter to take photograph of own voted ballot and share it on Internet-based social media.

Impact

If enacted, SB 1170 would notably alter the perception of ballot secrecy in New Jersey by allowing voters to publicly affirm their voting choices without infringing on existing laws regarding ballot disclosure. This could lead to increased engagement on social media platforms regarding electoral participation, prompting discussions about voting rights while ensuring the integrity and privacy of official ballots remain intact. The bill does not erase the fundamental principles of ballot secrecy that help protect the electoral process.

Summary

Senate Bill 1170 aims to amend New Jersey's existing election laws to allow voters the option to take photographs of their own voted ballots and share those images on social media. Currently, state law prohibits voters from showing their ballots to others or carrying them outside the polling place, except for certain authorized personnel. This bill seeks to clarify that these prohibitions do not extend to a voter's own decision to capture and share their ballot image voluntarily on the Internet.

Contention

There are potential points of contention regarding the implications of this bill. Advocates for the bill may argue that it empowers voters to showcase their commitment to civic duty and encourages transparency in elections. Critics, however, might raise concerns that sharing ballot images could inadvertently lead to voter coercion or privacy violations, posing risks to the integrity of the voting process. Furthermore, the bill may attract scrutiny regarding the handling of such shared images, given the potential for misuse or misrepresentation of a voter's choices.