Q: During the recent election cycle, voters were given instructions that included the warning that it was against the law to take photos inside polling places. “No selfies,” it said. And yet in post-election news coverage, both in print media and on TV, there were photos and video clips of people actively voting in local polling places. Do news media get special exemptions from the law?
—Mike Hartley, Roswell
A: Poll managers have discretion to allow media into the polling place, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, “No person shall use photographic or other electronic monitoring or recording devices, cameras, or cellular telephones while such person is in a polling place while voting is taking place; provided, however, that a poll manager, in his or her discretion, may allow the use of photographic devices in the polling place under such conditions and limitations as the election superintendent finds appropriate, and provided, further, that no photography shall be allowed of a ballot or the face of a voting machine or DRE (direct recording electronic) unit while an elector is voting such ballot or machine or DRE unit and no photography shall be allowed of an electors list, electronic electors list, or the use of an electors list or electronic electors list. This subsection shall not prohibit the use of photographic or other electronic monitoring or recording devices, cameras, or cellular telephones by poll officials for official purposes.”
Q: I’m wondering if the AJC plans to resume David Brooks’ column.
—Patricia Mitchell, Atlanta
A: There are no plans at this time to resume Brooks' column in the AJC.
Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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