Election selfies are encouraged, but take them outside polling stations
Posting a photo of a completed ballot could land you in jail
While advance polls were open across Canada on the Thanksgiving weekend, many voters took to social media to document the event by posting election selfies.
As the number of selfies increased, Elections Canada tweeted a reminder that they must be taken outside the polling stations.
Want to take a voting selfie? Great! Take it outside the polling place. <a href="http://t.co/v47sp6WIP3">http://t.co/v47sp6WIP3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>
—@ElectionsCan_EDugald Maudsley, regional media adviser for Elections Canada, said, "The polling station is the actual room where people vote."
The rationale is that Elections Canada wants to uphold the integrity of the secret ballot.
Posting a photo of a completed ballot is a violation of Section 164 2b of the Elections Act.
"If a person is found guilty of posting a completed ballot, it would be a summary conviction which can lead to six months in prison or a $5,000 fine, or both," said Maudsley.
"We want people to take election selfies, but people should do so outside."
You can share your voting stories on Twitter by using the hashtag #PollWatch
It took very little time for some people to vote
Done! First time voting in federal election selfie. Only waited in line for 30 mins. When are you voting? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="http://t.co/Cs9rqrs4p2">pic.twitter.com/Cs9rqrs4p2</a>
—@kemi_akapo<a href="https://twitter.com/AaronDuke33">@AaronDuke33</a> and I voted today, only took 5 mins! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/votingselfie?src=hash">#votingselfie</a> <a href="http://t.co/hswi6D0yCv">pic.twitter.com/hswi6D0yCv</a>
—@kirstendukeVoted! There was no wait. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/votingselfie?src=hash">#votingselfie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="http://t.co/vmLU3UrZRi">pic.twitter.com/vmLU3UrZRi</a>
—@LauraEMueller<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VotingSelfie?src=hash">#VotingSelfie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamKyle?src=hash">#TeamKyle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YMM?src=hash">#YMM</a> Even with an address change hiccup it took less than 15 minutes to vote! Get out there! <a href="http://t.co/a6aXqUSUpq">pic.twitter.com/a6aXqUSUpq</a>
—@Jenmur84While others had to wait
Took 1h15min to vote in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crofton?src=hash">#Crofton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowichan?src=hash">#Cowichan</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/votingselfie?src=hash">#votingselfie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn2015?src=hash">#elxn2015</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeaveSteve?src=hash">#HeaveSteve</a> <a href="http://t.co/3iBZWUJi2U">pic.twitter.com/3iBZWUJi2U</a>
—@QueerInBCMost election selfies expressed enthusiasm
Our ballots are cast! Let the long weekend begin. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/voteselfie?src=hash">#voteselfie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elexn42?src=hash">#elexn42</a> <a href="http://t.co/fpYW4gf7Jp">pic.twitter.com/fpYW4gf7Jp</a>
—@MoraaSaysVoting selfie! Polls are open from noon to 8pm all weekend! Go vote please!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="http://t.co/MRpHJfW5dP">pic.twitter.com/MRpHJfW5dP</a>
—@leonickaIs it possible that selfies have accomplished the impossible? Could they have made voting cool in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="http://t.co/YGLf1xhs5M">pic.twitter.com/YGLf1xhs5M</a>
—@jordanlucasrayDooo iiit :) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/canadavotes?src=hash">#canadavotes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/votingselfies?src=hash">#votingselfies</a> <a href="http://t.co/Ub7k2TWBXX">pic.twitter.com/Ub7k2TWBXX</a>
—@erinsopranI voted, hence the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/votingselfie?src=hash">#votingselfie</a>! Come On <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash">#Canada</a>, we can do this 🇨🇦 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="http://t.co/2gagJaCVrk">pic.twitter.com/2gagJaCVrk</a>
—@AnjeeGill