Judge rules ballot selfies are OK in New Hampshire

A judge has ruled that a New Hampshire law banning people from posting pictures of their completed ballots - ballot selfies, if you will - interferes with free speech rights.

The American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire challenged the law on behalf of a group of people who were investigated for posting photos of their ballots, according to WMUR. On the other side of the argument was a group of state lawmakers who were concerned that people could be coerced into proving with a photo that they voted one way or another, and the state's assistant attorney general, who said there were concerns about voter fraud because of new social media technology.

The judge disagreed with the state and said it was pure speculation to think that voter coercion was a problem.

"You think people are going to post a photo on Facebook?" U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro said. "'I'm a proud seller of my vote! I just sold my vote for $25!' At some level, you have to use common sense."

The law took effect last September and was punishable by a fine up to $1,000.

Separately, WMUR reported in February that lawmakers were trying to repeal the statute banning ballot selfies.