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Bill

S 5022

Allows photographs of one's self and one's own ballot while voting

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 3 co-sponsors

Allows voters to photograph themselves with their ballot while voting, enabling participation proof but raising ballot-secrecy and privacy concerns without safeguards.

REFERRED TO ELECTIONS
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5022

Summary of Bill S.5022

Overview

Bill S.5022 proposes to allow individuals to photograph themselves along with their own ballot while they are voting. The bill was introduced on February 18, 2025 and is currently “Referred to Elections” in the legislative process.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a legal allowance for voters to take photographs of themselves and their own ballot during the voting process.
  • Address issues related to voter expression and documentation of participation in elections.
  • The available information does not include detailed restrictions, exceptions, or enforcement provisions, so the exact scope and limits (e.g., where photos may be taken, whether ballots with marks must be concealed, or any prohibitions on photographing others) are not specified here.

Key provisions (as reflected by the title)

  • Authorization for voters to take photos of themselves with their ballot while voting.
  • The text provided does not include additional provisions, such as:
    • Specific locations or times photos may be taken (polling place vs. after voting).
    • Requirements to protect ballot secrecy or to prevent disclosure of marked choices.
    • Penalties for non-compliance or enforcement mechanisms.
    • Any conditions related to sharing, posting, or publishing images.

Affected parties

  • Voters: Individuals participating in elections who wish to photograph themselves with their ballot.
  • Election officials and polling places: Responsible for implementing the policy and ensuring any applicable privacy or security considerations are respected once the full text clarifies rules.
  • Campaigns and observers: May be affected by the availability of ballot-self photography as a form of participation or expression.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to Elections (listed twice in the available record, which appears to be a duplication in the legislative actions log).
  • Next steps: If advancing, the bill would move through committee consideration, potential amendments, and votes in the respective legislative chambers, followed by reconciliation and potential enactment.

Sponsors and related bills

  • Primary sponsor: Luis R. Sepúlveda
  • Co-sponsors: Nathalia Fernandez, Leroy Comrie, Kevin S. Parker
  • Related bills from prior sessions: S 8448, S 5953, S 1781, S 3007, S 3267

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Pros: Could enhance voter expression and transparency about participation.
  • Cons/risks: May raise questions about ballot secrecy, privacy, and the potential for coercion or targeted influence if ballots are photographed in a viewable manner. Details on restrictions, enforcement, and privacy safeguards are not provided in the available summary and would be critical to assess.

For a fuller understanding, the bill’s full text and any fiscal notes or amendments would be necessary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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