I live in a swing state, although Hillary Clinton is so confident that she’s going to win my state, she’s no longer spending any money on ads here. Donald Trump still shows up to rallies here, and he has strong support in some areas. I’m not saying HRC is making a mistake, I’m just saying that I would feel less queasy about everything if I was allowed to vote early. Alas, I’m in a state where you can only “vote early” by paper ballot at the registrar’s office, as in it’s just a barely convenient absentee ballot system. Nope. I’ll just wait until Election Day and vote in person.
Obviously, my state is not like Tennessee, which is Justin Timberlake’s home state and where he is (apparently) registered to vote. JT got to vote early on Monday, and to celebrate the democratic process, he posted a selfie on his Instagram. This is not new – I remember in 2012, there were many celebrities who took selfies in or around the voting booth. Perhaps that’s why different states keep changing the laws about where and how you can take “I VOTED!” selfies.
Justin Timberlake could go to jail for 30 days for taking a selfie in a voting booth. JT posted a pic of himself back home Monday at the polling place. Problem is … Tennessee law prohibits voters from taking pics or recording conversations in the sacred rooms. Violators can be slapped with a 30 day jail sentence and a $50 fine.
A rep from the Shelby County D.A.’s Office tells us, the Timberlake case is “under review.” The law was passed last year, but we’re told so far no one has been prosecuted. An official from the election’s board where Justin voted is clearly against prosecution, telling us he should be commended, not prosecuted, for inspiring people to get out and vote.
Again, this is in Tennessee, a state that is not being contested whatsoever. FiveThirtyEight has Hillary Clinton’s chances at winning the state at 2.8%. Neither candidate is spending any money there. What’s my point? I don’t know. Like, good for Justin for voting, but getting out the vote in Tennessee will do nothing in the grand scheme of things. But of course, Timberlake is a big star and his message is for the entire country! Except that this story just reminds people that their state probably has some totally random laws and regulations about how to vote and whether you can take selfies and whether the act of voting will get you sent to jail. Was the selfie worth it? Wouldn’t it have been smarter to just take a selfie with your “I Voted!” sticker?
Still, get out and vote, people! You can check out whether your state allows early voting here at Vote.org.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Kaiser,
You’re in Northern VA, correct?
If so we’re in the same part of town and hopefully good sense will win out. 🙂
No, south-central VA! In 2008 & 2012, I had to wait in line for 30-50 minutes.
Ah. OK. NOVA over here! Reppin the 22309 LOL
I’ll be at my local elementary school on 11/8. hope i’m in and out
Commonwealthers Represent! I’m here in the Valley (aka Trumpland). the Trump signs are EVERYWHERE here but I’m cautiously confident Hill will still take the state. And yes I will be proudly voting at my local elementary school on the 8th! Long lines here too probably for the wrong reasons lol.
The ROANOKE valley?
Shen valley baby! The Noke is pretty pro trump too I hear. Bummer.
Long time lurker, first time commentor— also in Northern Virginia. Early voted yesterday in 22201. Was a surprisingly painless process.
The legal system better brace itself for the avalanche of voting booth selfies come Nov. 8th.
The news has been warning people that it is illegal to do so.
Celebrity is no excuse for law breaking, nor is ignorance.
Each state has different laws so not every news station is going to talk about it. And the law for Tennessee was passed just last year. I’m not saying Timberlake should get a pass because he’s a celebrity. I’m saying he should get a pass because it’s not a wide spread law all over the country and certainly not one that’s been posted all over the place for everyone to know about. Like I didn’t even know this was a thing until now and I don’t know if my state has laws for it but i know for sure the news stations here haven’t been talking about it.
I knew it was illegal but I hadn’t seen the warnings. I’m thinking more of the 18-22 year olds who will want to document their first time in a voting booth.
Also, for folks saying they are first time voters – there will be signs everywhere inside and outside the polling location stating the rules about things like photography. You can’t mess up and get in trouble unless you ignore multiple posted signs like Timberlake must have done. Congrats on voting!
They already said on the news that they are not investigating him and will not be pressing charges.
@BettyRose maybe that’s where my ignorance comes in. I’m 20 so this will be my first time voting. I know I couldn’t take a picture of my ballot but I had no idea taking a picture of myself while voting was illegal.
Sam,
I’m sure there’s a lot of grey area, given that the laws obviously pre-date smart phones. To be safe, take a selfie in front of the street sign that directs you to the polling place (or with your “I voted” sticker after you leave the polling place).
I’m just thrilled that this is more attention on the importance of voting, and it’s hitting a powerful demographic. Yay Justin!
A state Supreme Court recently ruled it unconstitutional on first amendment grounds. I have no idea why someone cared that much to preemptively striking down the law but they did. So it is now legal in one state. I doubt DA’s around the country are going to waste the time and money to both prosecute and defend the existence of the law. Their isn’t enough credible cases of vote buying or coercion to justify it.
It’s gonna be meeeeeeeeeeeee
LOL good one
” Like, good for Justin for voting, but getting out the vote in Tennessee will do nothing in the grand scheme of things.”
So if you’re a democrat, you shouldn’t go out to vote in your republican state? This is a terrible way of thinking about the democratic process and why it’s never going to change.
I don’t get Tennesee. Voted Al Gore into the senate but turned on him in the presidential election. What would our world be like now if Gore had carried Tennessee in 2000?
I live and vote in eastern TN. It is extremely frustrating and sometimes demoralizing voting as a liberal Democrat in this state. It’s also embarrassing when our republican – dominated legislature in Nashville makes national news for their ignorant bufoonery. Like our crazy blue laws, gun laws, trying to make the Bible our official state book, etc. Embarrassing! But I still vote. Every time. And take my kids with me. Yes, Trump will win by a landslide here. I’m just hoping to get some of the morons out of Nashville at this point.
I early voted in Nashville, for Hillary. I agree that Trump will sweep the state, but I am curious about whether we might see a decent percentage going to third party presidential candidates. It seems to me that some evangelical leaders have started sharing the message that their flocks are no longer beholden to Trump after the Access Holywood tape reveal.
Thank you for saying this, I came to say the same thing. It’s never a good idea to discourage anyone from voting any election. Period.
Sure, Clinton won’t win the electoral votes in TN. And I don’t know what the TN ballot looks like this year. But there are often local elections and sometimes referendums that are up for voting at the same time. Your vote always counts!
IA. Senate and Congressional races are HUGELY important. Everyone should vote in all the races, at every election. The presidential race is not the only race happening!
Totally agreed. I’m Swiss and we vote about four times a year about three to four different popular initiatives. And yes, sometimes the outcome is pretty clear from the beginning or during the campaigning, but it does not matter on the day.
You vote to practice your democratic rights, like so many people fight and die(d) for. It is a sign that people express their desire to have and use those rights!
And secondly, a vote or a voice can change the outcome. It can change those around you. It might not always have the desired outcome, but it still matters, because it’s your anonymous voice.
Must people take photos of themselves doing everything?
No, not at all, but better this than social media-ing the birth of your child or your butt fat injections.☹️☹️☹️☹️
I hear you but in this case a little PSA about voting isn’t a bad thing. However he could have done it outside the polling place or wherever.
When my son got his drivers license, people were getting their phones confiscated left and right at the DMV, where it’s also illegal to take photos. The workers were almost comical in their toughness about enforcing it. We were happy to get out of there unberated.
I don’t see why this is a big deal. Yes, even celebrities should abide by laws but I can’t see anything in the picture about who he voted for and he’s not saying to vote for who HE voted for, he’s just saying to go vote, period. I don’t care for JT but besides him being an entitled butt munch who shouldn’t get a pass that anyone else wouldn’t get, I actually think this is harmless… (shrugs)
I early voted here in Tennessee last week (I’m in a suburb of Nashville). It was crowded! However, there were signs everywhere saying, “No photos inside the polling place!” I just waited until we got outside and took a photo of my daughter’s service dog with her “I Voted” sticker on her vest and encouraged others to get out and vote in their area.
Wherever you live, don’t be complacent! Real Clear Politics has Hillary at 272, but if everyone starts thinking, “Well, she’s got this and doesn’t need my vote,” there could be problems.
I have many right-leaning women friends who are voting Clinton/Kaine for the top of the ticket and GOP downticket because they cannot stand Donald Trump.
I told my husband the only way Trump’s freakish cult-like supporters will accept he lost is if Hillary wins in a landslide.
Vote!
Here to say the same – there are other issues on the ticket in November vs just POTUS. Vote vote vote everyone needs to go out and vote!
We have mail-in ballots and lots of drop off boxes in town… mine is two minutes from my house. I love the convenience of voting early, on my time schedule and no lines, but I miss those little “I voted” stickers we would get and wear the rest of the day. I need a banner or something on my facebook profile pic if I can’t have that.
I’m in Texas and voted by mail. When my ballot came it included an “I Voted” sticker. I’m saving it and plan to wear it all day on Nov. 8.
it should be illegal.
it is an easy way to get paid to vote for a particular candidate (vote X, take picture for proof and receive your money).
also, it is delaying someone else being able to vote. RUDE.
there is a long history why your vote should be personal and private.
even the act of being seen voting has had dire consequences for some people at various times.
i have lived in many states where taking pictures inside the place housing the voting “booths” (and even within a close proximity of the outside of the polling station) is also illegal because some people might suffer because they voted (regardless of who they cast a ballot for) and these laws are meant to protect your privacy and your right to vote with freedom of personal choice.
old fashioned? sure. necessary? YES.
no surprise this guy showed no respect for the law. entitled nitwit probably voted for the law he flouted.
He’s from my area. The local news Facebook comments went from supportive of him to hilarious when it was revealed to some who were unaware that he is a big supporter of Hillary. Lots of throw the book at him comments. But some still saying they appreciate him voting even though it was for the wrong candidate. Haha
I seriously can’t believe that no one saw it happening or warned him. It’s not like he’s in a freaking booth! And you know people were watching him
A summary of voting photography laws:
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/10/25/13389980/ballot-selfie-legal-illegal?0p19G=c
I just saw a young person walk across the street snapchatting without even looking to see if someone might be making a right turn… selfie culture literally makes no sense to me . In any case, this is also illegal here so i look forward to seeing how it goes on election day. I live in the south in a “battleground state” so election day is gonna be a sh* tshow with protesters anyway so cameras will be out.
Please dont say things like “but getting out the vote in Tennessee will do nothing in the grand scheme of things” I live in TX and it is now a swing state thanks to Dems getting out there and making their voices heard in a historically deep red state!
Thank you! This 100%. Texas (Texas!!) used to be diehard Democrat until about the 80s-90s (ie the term yellow dog democrat). States are always capable of huge voting shifts but only if people vote. Obama turned a couple states purplish too back in 2008 and 2012.
Can’t wait to see his mugshot. What a fool!
You’re gonna be waiting awhile cause there won’t be one.
Why the need to show the world you voted? Unless it’s the first time you voted, why not just vote and go on with your day… so odd.
Don’t appreciate the comments in this article about Tennesseans getting out to vote not making a difference. Regardless of whether or not we are a contested state, it’s still incredibly important for everyone to fulfill their civic duty to vote. Many young people, who largely vote blue, and liberals in red states don’t vote for the very reason you stated. Perhaps the margins wouldn’t be so overwhelming if we didn’t promote this type of mindset. This same mindset keeps us complacent in our two party system by not seriously considering third party candidates because they “won’t win anyway and a vote for them is a wasted vote.”
Also, Justin is from Memphis (Shelby County,) which is consistently blue, and is one of the only counties in the state to do so, a fact that is important to many SC residents.
When my daughter was an infant, we went to vote and had her in a little red, white and blue outfit supporting a friend running for smaller office. When we got to the polling place, they made us wrap her blanket around her to cover up the shirt because you aren’t allowed to advertise for candidates INSIDE the voting area. That is something that never even occurred to me (but makes sense), and there were signs, once you got inside. Out in the hallway might have been nicer. 🙂
The state that we were in, apparently doesn’t even allow you to wear anything identifying party affiliation, so everyone had to take off their elephant and donkey pins as well, or at least cover them up. That said, it didn’t appear to apply to lobby groups that historically support one party over the other, so those pins were allowed to stay.
man he’s dumb.