Can You Bring Your Phone Into The Voting Booth? In New York State You Can

by CrownHeights.info

Each time that voters flock to the voting booths one thorny question keeps popping up, “Can you bring a phone with you into the voting booth?” The answer is yes, but it’s not so simple.

Voting laws across the country vary widely, with some states allowing phones and others banning them outright. In New York State phones are allowed to be brought in to the voting booth, but pictures are a big “no no”.

So to the selfie question, “It’s my ballot, can I take a selfie?” New York and 17 other states say no.

Some residents of Crown Heights who live in the area of Remsen Village found out just how, “it’s not so simple” it gets when they went for early voting today at Remsen Hall.

One person reported that they were “surrounded” and felt “uncomfortable”, another was told to leave on the table and not hold it while voting.

“I was just there,” one person wrote. “I was told no phones allowed, and contested that. The supervisor agreed that if I don’t raise my phone, just leave it on the table, it’s ok. No issues after that.”

Another wrote that “I just went and they asked me to write down my choices before I step into the booth because I can’t use my phone in the booth. It’s annoying but I did that.”

After multiple complaints arrived that residents were being told not to use their phones while voting, local askanim got on the case, calling the voting administrator of Remsen Village and confirming that phones were in fact allowed.

What was likely a misunderstanding by the voting staff has since been resolved, according to one person involved, as clarification was given to the staff once the issue was found.

Just remember, being allowed to use your phone does not mean you can take a picture. Forget that and you might face a stiff fine.