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State Senator Files Lawsuit Over Selfie Ballot Ban

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- A state senator from Colorado Springs has filed a lawsuit asking a judge to declare a ban on taking pictures of ballots that are marked, unconstitutional.

Republican state Sen. Owen Hill opposes the law, which makes it a misdemeanor to disseminate a completed ballot.

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The 1891 law was intended to prevent voter coercion. Hill calls the law outdated.

The little-known law gained attention last week when Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey issued a warning that posting "ballot selfies" is a misdemeanor. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado called the law unjust.

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Colorado lawmakers have twice rejected bills to change the law to allow "ballot selfies." Another state senator will try for a third time to get rid of the law in the next session.

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(credit: CBS)
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