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What happens if you mark outside the lines or use the wrong pen/pencil? (2022)
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| Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk | |
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Frequently asked questions Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: General election information Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: Processing and counting absentee/mail-in ballots Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: Election result reporting and certification Ballotpedia's 2022 Election Help Desk: Disputing election results | |
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In some states, election officials may reject ballots with stray marks, multiple choices filled in for the same office, or improper marks (for example, using check marks or X’s instead of filling in circles). To avoid the possibility that your ballot is rejected for these reasons, follow the instructions on the ballot. If you make a mistake, mis-mark, or damage your ballot in any way, contact your local election office for instructions about how to proceed.
In general, ballots should not have any additional writing, except for clearly printed write-in’s where indicated, or anything spilled on it that could affect the ballot scanner when processing responses.
Ballot instructions sometimes indicate to use blue or black ink when filling out your ballot. This is because ballot scanners can only read ballots that are properly filled out with specific colors of ink, similar to that of standardized Scantron tests at school.[1] Marking your ballot in pencil or a different-colored ink may result in the ballot being rejected.
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