Don’t post photos of your completed Wis. ballot
MILWAUKEE — In case you’re tempted to show your Facebook friends and Twitter followers how you voted, remember it’s illegal in Wisconsin to post photos of completed ballots.
State law prohibits voters from showing their completed ballots to anyone. The intent is to prevent people from selling their votes and then showing their ballots as proof they voted as requested.
Technically, the violation is a Class I (eye) felony, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. However, prosecutors probably wouldn’t be aggressive about seeking charges.
The state Government Accountability Board first reminded voters of the law this summer ahead of a major recall election. Spokesman Reid Magney said at the time it was a gentle reminder, and he wasn’t aware of anyone being charged for posting photos.
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Nov 6, 2012 at 9:12 p.m.
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Sorry, Sigma. The photo of Ryan submitting his ballot isn't a Gazette photo. It's from the Associated Press and there was no editing that occurred after the photo was first put on our site.
Nov 6, 2012 at 7:18 p.m.
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but there's no voter fraud...rite??
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:56 p.m.
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So what- who do you think he would vote for. I am curious why there are pics of this but it is against the law to take pics. Why is it okay this time? I can see outside the office.
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:56 p.m.
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I confirm that as well. I flipped the image upside down and enlarged. You can easily read where the black line is made but all the names are blurred out. Still the process of elimination tells you how he voted.
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:49 p.m.
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I just checked again and the gazette edited the photo, i'm glad i saved it before they edited it....lol.
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:47 p.m.
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The black marks are clearly visible at the top of each column, and anyone that voted knows Romneys is the choice on top on the left side and Ryan is the one on top on the right.
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:44 p.m.
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That pic is now the headline story on the gazette website. The gazette blurred the lines he selected, but only the lines he selected, so it is still completely obvious how he voted.
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:42 p.m.
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saxcat70 - you read my mind!
So, the gazette prints a picture of Ryan voting with his ballot visible both in the picture and to the people around him, then a few hours later the gazette posts an article about how it's illegal to show your completed ballot to anyone or take a picture of it and post it online? Not only did they out Ryan, they outed themselves for posting the picture. Nice.
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:16 p.m.
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saxcat70 - HA I saved the pic and then enlarged it, you can clearly see that he voted for Romney and himself...lol. Not only does he have a pic of it, everyone there can clearly see it.
Nov 6, 2012 at 5:03 p.m.
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mines already posted on facebook, I got $50. from a friend that wanted me to vote that way and another person tipped me $20. Its mine I should be able to sell it and do what i want with it.
Nov 6, 2012 at 4:21 p.m.
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Oh come on people, good grief!
Nov 6, 2012 at 4:15 p.m.
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sax...the GOP doesnt have to play by the rules.
Nov 6, 2012 at 4:08 p.m.
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The secret service agent next to Paul ryan doesnt seem to have a problem with the camera being held up in the air taking a picture of his ballot.... :)
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