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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.

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 Hill calls the law outdated.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.

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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