Today (Aug 8), State Attorney Phil Archer announced the outcome of an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into an allegation that current St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson violated Florida law by publishing a photograph of his completed official ballot on social media following the March 19, 2024, Florida primary election.

While the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the 19^th Judicial Circuit, our review came about after an Executive Order issued by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 4, 2024, transferred the inquiry to the 18^th Judicial Circuit.

The review findings were summarized by Chief Assistant State Attorney Stacey Salmons in a four-page letter to Resident Agent in Charge Ryan Bliss of the FDLE. Salmons found that while Pearson’s actions are prohibited by Florida statute, prevailing constitutional freedom of speech protections as interpreted by multiple federal court rulings, would overcome any prosecution initiated by our office.

Those rulings established that a voter’s photograph of his or her ballot constitutes a protected form of speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and persons solely publishing “ballot selfies” to social media are protected from criminal prosecution.

CASA Salmons Disposition Letter