Today, State Rep. Steve Johnson reintroduced legislation to allow voters to take “ballot selfies.”

Currently, Michigan Secretary of State rules prohibit voters from taking photos of their ballots. Rep. Johnson’s legislation would allow a voter, whether at a polling place or voting absentee, to take a picture of their ballot. Twenty states currently allow “ballot selfies” to be taken by voters.

“Around the country, people increasingly are sharing pictures of their ballot as a way to show support for candidates and issues,” said Johnson, R-Wayland. “The Founding Fathers felt so strongly about our freedom of speech that they protected it with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. It is our responsibility to preserve and protect this form of free speech in Michigan.”

An identical bill, also sponsored by Rep. Johnson, was unanimously reported from the House Elections and Ethics Committee last year with strong bipartisan support.

House Bill 4196 has been referred to the House Elections and Ethics Committee for further consideration.