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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Justin Timberlake Off Hook for Voting Selfie

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (CN) — Pop star Justin Timberlake's "ballot selfie" at a Memphis polling place drew the attention of state officials, but a district attorney said she will not investigate the matter.

On Monday, Timberlake, who lives in California but grew up in Memphis and owns property outside of Nashville, posted a photo on Instagram of himself at a voting booth.

"I just flew from LA to Memphis to #rockthevote!!! No excuses, my good people!" the 35-year-old singer posted, along with his ballot selfie.

But a Tennessee law passed last year prohibits voters from using electronic devices at a polling place "for telephone conversations, recording, or taking photographs or videos while inside the polling place."

The same law says that county election officials "shall not prohibit a voter from using a mobile electronic or communication device at a polling place for informational purposes to assist the voter in making election decisions."

A representative for the Shelby County District Attorney's office reportedly told TMZ that the case is "under review."

However, according to the Tennessean, the office's communications director said he made a mistake by saying the situation was under review, adding that the office has not "been presented anything by an investigative authority."

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich told the Nashville-based newspaper via email that "no one in our office is currently investigating this matter nor will we be using our limited resources to do so."

Tennessee Secretary of State spokesman Adam Ghassemi said state officials are "thrilled Justin can't stop the feeling," but reminded voters to use their phones inside polling locations only to help them vote.

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