JAYFORCE

I was as excited as anyone to see that so many proud voters showed up at the polls.

[Not as many as for 2008; but that’s another discussion…stay focused!]

But what soured my mood… was that that enthusiasm sparked a craze of voters Tweeting pics of their ballots. While I usually reserve my opinions, I must say that that was NOT the move for two reasons:

1. Because in this country we campaign in public, then vote via SECRET ballot; and
2. Because that sh!t is AGAINST THE LAW in many places!

Now, laws do vary from state to state, but penalties for sharing your ballot with the world can be stiff. Violators could be convicted of a misdemeanor in Colorado, being hit with a fine of not more than $1000, imprisonment in county jail for not more than one year, or both – according to the ProPublica article by Lois Beckett. Elsewhere, like in Michigan and Hawaii, voters who show their ballots risk, at the least, having their votes thrown out!

By now, you may be thinking, ‘Damn… @ojones1 sure does get uptight about some not-a-big-deal *ish. Why does it matter if voters Tweets ballot pics… stupid or not?’ Check it…

Laws against displaying your ballot are motivated by concerns about vote buying, since voters being bribed might need to be prove they voted a certain way.

– Lois Beckett, ProPublica

In other words, among other risks… folks could very well be Tweeting receipts of votes that have been BOUGHT by those who wish to BUY elections!

Bottom Line: Why risk it at all? JUST DON’T DO IT. Tweet a pic of your ‘I voted’ sticker instead… if you just gotta. Okay? Okay, don’t ranting.

READ THE FULL PROPUBLICA ARTICLE HERE.

– @ojones1