World News – US – ON YOUR SIDE: Missouri Laws Regarding Selfies and Ballot Political Clothing

SPRINGFIELD, Mo (KY3) – Presidential Election Just Two Days In Missouri, there are a few rules voters may want to know before they go to the polls

Missouri Secretary of State’s office explains several election laws in state statutes, including guidelines on voting selfies and political attire

Voters who fail to properly adhere to guidelines for selfies and political dress may face a Class 4 electoral offense, which can result in a year in prison or up to $ 2,500 in fines

According to Chapter 115637, any voter « allowing anyone to view his ballot with the intention of letting him know how he is about to vote or has voted, or knowingly making a false statement as to his inability to mark a ballot « faces a class four electoral offense

While the law does not specifically address whether the selfie is illegal, a completed ballot would show a voter ‘s selections, thereby displaying intention to vote It is considered illegal to take a photo of a ballot that has been completed Whether such a case becomes an offense is left to the discretion of local election officials

Ballot selfies are considered legal in at least 20 states, but Missouri is not one of them

According to Chapter 115637, any voter who practices the « election campaign » within 25 feet of the polling stations is liable to a Class 4 election offense. The election campaign is not specifically defined in the statute state, but could be interpreted as activities or actions likely to influence the outcome of the election campaign

This means that wearing a hat, shirt, mask or any other clothing that could show your position on a candidate or a ballot could be considered electoral by local officials of the elections

Missouri’s statute also specifies that actions such as « distributing election materials, displaying signs, or installing vehicles carrying signs towards a candidate » are illegal

Missouri, United States Presidential Election, 2020, Ballot