As the 2024 election season gets into full swing, misinformation about how to vote continues to spread on social media platforms, raising questions and concerns among voters.
One of the claims that gained attention in 2020 was that using a Sharpie marker on a ballot makes it illegal. While Arizona election officials exposed the error, the controversy continued, leading to voter complaints and lawsuits alleging that tabulation equipment failed to record ballots of voters who used county-issued Sharpies.
How did this claim originate?
This suspicion, known as “Sharpiegate,” gained national attention after an incident. video A story went viral of a woman who claimed to have witnessed poll workers handing out Sharpies at polling stations to intentionally invalidate votes.
Vote-counting machines reject ballots from voters who used a Sharpie, forcing employees to scrutinize the ballots again, fueling the idea that voters being given special Sharpies meant their votes were disqualified It is said that he put
Election departments throughout Arizona are debunk a claimcalled it a “baseless conspiracy theory” and said there were processes in place to ensure ballots were counted, regardless of what writing instrument was used to mark them.
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors I mentioned the rumor in a letter.countering the “spread of misinformation” to ensure the integrity of the electoral voting process.
Is it true?Republic investigates election messages and reports correct information
What types of pens can I use on my ballot?
According to the Maricopa County Elections Department: Voters can fill out their ballots directly using black or blue ink in addition to a Sharpie. The department said the new tabulation machines, which have been tested multiple times in this election, use these types of pens to tabulate ballots.
According to the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. A Sharpie is recommended when filling out the ballot Because ink dries fastest at polling places in Maricopa County. In other words Easy to read tally machine when a voter places their ballot into a counting machine at a polling place, the website says.
The website also says that even if the ink bleeds, it won’t affect votes in other races because the design of the ballot offsets the air bubbles from front to back.
The election management bureau is Provide quick-drying felt-tip pens for voters to use to vote The bureau says it’s meant to offset slow-drying ink like ballpoint pens, which the bureau says can easily get smeared inside ballot-counting machines. If wet ink from a ballot smears inside the machine, the tabulation machine will be unable to count any more ballots until it is repaired.
“We want people to have a smooth voting experience on Election Day. With the right pen, voters can be sure that their ballot will be counted,” Bill Gates, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said in a statement. “You’ll be able to see the train running and there won’t be any delays for other people in line.”
“The county has invested in the latest technology to give voters the ability to vote whenever and however they want. Using a felt-tip pen protects your investment and your vote.”
Election officials also recommend against using red ink on ballots, as it makes them unreadable by counting machines.
Ballpoint pens are not recommended at polling places, but voters can use them to vote early because the ink has had time to dry during the transportation and signature verification process before counting, the ministry said.
For more information, voters can visit: Maricopa County Elections Website Get the facts about elections, including voter registration, counting, ballot security, FAQs, and more.
Coleby Phillips is a reporter for The Arizona Republic who specializes in election misinformation. This research was made possible through a grant from the Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. Please contact cphillips@gannett.com..
