Are ‘voting selfies’ allowed at voting locations in California?

OAKLAND, California. – You are at your polling station. You enjoy participating in the democratic process. You want to capture the moment and perhaps share it on social media. Are you allowed to take a selfie at your polling station?

In California, the short answer is, “Yes.”

But as long as you don’t break any other law. And election officials and poll workers ultimately have the discretion to ban the selfie if they determine the action is causing disruption that requires a response.

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State elections officials also note that the photos cannot result in the unauthorized sharing and use of information about how someone voted.

They also emphasize that taking photos at the polling station should not jeopardize the privacy of other voters casting their ballots.

In addition, it is illegal to intimidate other voters or interfere with the election process or the duties of election workers.

So-called “vote selfies” haven’t always been legal in California, and they aren’t legal in all states.

California law was changed on January 1, 2017, allowing voters to “voluntarily disclose how he or she voted, if that voluntary act does not violate any other law.”

Previously, the minister’s office historically took the position that the use of cameras and video equipment at polling stations was prohibited.

Here is a list of activities prohibited at polling places in California:

• DO NOT ask anyone to vote for or against a candidate or ballot measure.
• DO NOT display a candidate’s name, image or logo.
• DO NOT block access to or loiter near ballot boxes.
• DO NOT provide any material or audible information for or against a candidate or ballot measure near a polling place, polling place or ballot box.
• DO NOT distribute petitions, including for initiatives, referenda, recalls, or candidate nominations.
• DO NOT distribute, display or wear clothing (hats, shirts, signs, buttons, stickers) that contains a candidate’s name, image, logo and/or supports or opposes a candidate or ballot measure.
• DO NOT display information or speak to a voter regarding the voter’s eligibility to vote.
• DO NOT participate in election activities; photograph or record a voter entering or leaving a polling station; or hinder entry, exit or parking

California is also one of about a dozen states and Washington DC that have a complete ban on guns at polling places, both open and concealed.

As for what voters should bring with them when casting their ballots, in some, but not most, cases, a California voter may be required to show identification, the Secretary of State’s office said.

Voters casting ballots for the first time after mailing in their voting registration may be required to show proof of identification if they did not include their driver’s license number, California identification number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on their registration form.

Here’s one list of acceptable forms of voter identification for use at polling stations.

KTVU has put together a comprehensive overview California Voter Guide with important information and election dates to ensure your vote counts.

You can also find a link to our 2024 election coverage herewhere you can find information about candidates and state and local voting measures.