Justin Timberlake investigated for ballot selfie
CEBU, Philippines - Pop star Justin Timberlake may have run afoul of Tennessee election law when he posted a photo of himself in a polling station on social media.
Timberlake, 35, posted the photo on Monday and said in the caption that he had traveled from Los Angeles to his hometown of Memphis to take part in early voting ahead of the November 8 election.
“Get out and vote! #exerciseyourrighttovote,” Timberlake said in part of the photo’s caption, which was posted on Instagram where he has over 37 million followers.
The problem for Timberlake is that Tennessee law prohibits voters from recording or taking photographs or videos while inside a polling station.
The Shelby County, Tennessee district attorney’s office said it was aware of a possible violation of state election law and was reviewing the matter.
A person convicted of the violation can be sentenced to up to 30 days in jail and fined $50.
The proliferation of cellphone cameras and social media has created conflicts in states that have laws against the taking of photos inside polling booths and sharing photos of marked ballots.
The laws, which in some cases predate the social media age, are intended to prevent voter intimidation and any slowing of the voting process. (FREEMAN)
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