It’s illegal to take a photo of your completed ballot in Ohio, which is a 5th-degree felony that can cost a voter up to $2,500 in fines.
But the idea of a secret ballot isn’t as old as you might think. America’s founding fathers thought hiding your vote was “cowardly.”
The word ballot comes from the Italian word for ball, which is how we used to pick our leaders. We’d drop a ball or bean or eventually a piece of paper into a container.
All Sides is weaving through the history of the American ballot today, from bribes to bullets and how we landed on the way we vote today.
Guest:
- Anthony Gaughan, Ohio State University law professor
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