NC Woman Sues Over Ballot Selfie Ban

Susan Hogarth, a Libertarian Party candidate for North Carolina's state Senate, has filed a federal lawsuit against the state's 'ballot selfie' ban, arguing it infringes on her First Amendment rights. The lawsuit, supported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), aims to overturn laws prohibiting most polling place photography and photographing completed ballots, which the state argues prevent vote-buying schemes. Hogarth's legal action follows an incident where she posted a selfie with her ballot on social media, leading to a warning from the State Board of Elections about potential legal penalties. Hogarth, who has a history of sharing ballot selfies, insists that voters should be able to express their political speech openly without fear of punishment. The case underscores a broader debate about the balance between election integrity and the right to political expression.