Voting is one of the essential liberties guaranteed to Americans over the age of 18. We’ve made it to Election Day, and many of you have probably already expressed your right as an American citizen and voted today. But what about those people who decide not to vote? Considering all the lives that were lost and all the social justice movements to ensure African Americans and women also had the right to vote, should foregoing that right and not voting be considered a crime?
Sorry for the somewhat clickbait title, but no, not voting should certainly not be a crime. We are so lucky to live in a country where we have the right to free speech, and sometimes the best expression of our voice comes in its absence. So if you feel that not voting will send a bigger message to the government, then by all means, you have the right to express that viewpoint. That should not be a criminal offense.
However, if you are voting, remember these tips. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m. tonight, the polling place is legally required to let you cast your vote. Additionally, for all you social media lovers, when it comes to snapping a selfie of you with your ballot, the picture is legal in Minnesota so long as it is not shown to fellow voters at the polling place and you don’t capture any other person in the photo.
Speaking of Voting…
Speaking of voting, we’ll make one last shameless plug to ask for you to vote for Appelman Law Firm in The Expert Institute’s Best Legal Blog Contest. We’re still in second place in the Criminal Law category, and with a little over five days left to vote, we’re hoping one last strong push can get us to that top spot. So if you could please take 30 seconds and click this link, that will take you to our firm’s page where you can cast your vote. We have amazing readers, and it would mean the world to us if you could help us earn the honor of the best criminal law blog!
Thanks again, and happy voting!
Avery Appelman
