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False: If a poll worker writes on your ballot, it is invalid and will be thrown out.

North Carolina Updated

A poll worker's mark does not invalidate your ballot.

The rumor: False “If a poll worker writes on your ballot, it is invalid and will be thrown out.”

The facts: Many states require workers to mark ballots: North Carolina workers write P or A for provisional or absentee ballots, Illinois election judges initial every ballot, and Tennessee's Secretary of State calls the claim incorrect. AP rated the recycled chain post false on Oct. 15. Do not refuse or spoil your ballot over a worker's mark; take questions to your county election office.

How this story developed

  1. Cape Girardeau County, Mo., Clerk Kara Clark-Summers says state law requires workers to initial each ballot, and ballots are not shredded after counting: they are sealed and kept 22 months after certification.
  2. Greene County, Mo., Clerk Shane Schoeller says state law requires election judges to initial ballots and their initials do not invalidate a ballot.
  3. Jackson County, Iowa, Auditor Alisa Smith says Iowa election officials are required by law to initial every ballot and calls the Facebook post false.

Sources

  1. NC State Board of Elections Other source Archived copy
  2. AP via MyNorthwest: Fact Focus rates the claim false, Oct 15 News report Checked Archived copy
  3. Ideastream: Cuyahoga County, Ohio, officials call the claim untrue, Oct 15 News report Checked Archived copy
  4. WOWT: Douglas County, Neb., election commission calls post false, Oct 16 News report Checked Archived copy
  5. WISH-TV: Marion County, Ind., clerk says initials are required, Oct 16 News report Checked Archived copy
  6. PolitiFact: poll worker mark claim rated False, Oct 16 Fact-check Checked Archived copy
  7. Cumberland County, NC: State Board says ballot mark posts mislead, Oct 16 Official election source Checked Archived copy
  8. WSMV: Tennessee Secretary of State and counties call claim false, Oct 15 News report Checked Archived copy
  9. NBC Chicago: Cook and Will County clerks say judges must initial ballots, Oct 16 News report Checked Archived copy
  10. WRAL: What happens in NC if a poll worker marks your ballot, Oct 16 Fact-check Checked Archived copy
  11. Wisconsin Watch: Two poll worker initials required on every ballot, Oct 14 Fact-check Checked Archived copy
  12. KMAQ: Jackson County, Iowa, auditor says initials are required, Oct 16 News report Checked Archived copy
  13. KY3: Greene County, Mo., clerk says initials do not invalidate ballots, Oct 19 News report Checked Archived copy
  14. WFAE: Fact check on poll worker marks in North Carolina, Oct 20 Fact-check Checked Archived copy
  15. KFVS12: Cape Girardeau County clerk rebuts ballot rumors, Oct 21 News report Checked Archived copy