Election officials debunk false claims about marked ballots

Social media posts are circulating false claims that ballots will be disqualified if a poll worker writes any marks, such as letters or checkmarks, on them during the 2026 midterm elections. Election officials and experts have debunked these claims, noting that voting procedures vary by jurisdiction and markings are often a standard part of the process.

In Wisconsin, state law and clerk manuals require poll workers to initial ballots to make them “live” and to ensure the number of ballots cast matches the number of recorded voters. In North Carolina, officials have also noted that election workers may write on ballots for various legitimate reasons.

Experts, including Pamela Smith of Verified Voting, advise citizens to rely on information from local election officials rather than social media posts. Voters with concerns are encouraged to ask poll workers for clarification regarding any markings made on their ballots.