Sample Absentee Voting Instructions
for Mark Sense Voting Jurisdictions
ABSENTEE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MARKING BALLOT(S)
USE ONLY THE PENCIL PROVIDED VOTE BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT
1. On receipt of this ballot the voter, using the pencil provided, shall prepare the ballot for voting in the following manner.(1) Should the voter desire to vote a "straight party ticket" he shall place a cross (X) mark in the circle immediately below the party name. If the voter desires to vote for one or more candidates on more than one party ticket, by voting what is commonly known as a "split ticket" he may place a cross (X) mark in the circle immediately below one party name and mark cross (X) marks in the squares at the left of the names of candidates on other tickets for whom he wishes to vote.(2) If the voter desires to vote for one or more candidates whose name or names do not appear on the printed ballot, he may do so by writing the name of the person for whom he desires to vote, and placing a cross (X) mark in the square at the left of such name on the printed ballot in the column provided for write-ins.(3) Where there are two or more candidates for like office in a group, a cross (X) mark in the square to the left of a candidate's name automatically votes against the candidate whose name appears within the same horizontal lines in the column under the circle in which appears the cross (X) mark.2. All candidates of the party whose circle is marked shall be counted as voted for, excepting where squares are crossed preceding the names of the candidates in other columns. If two or more candidates for the same office are thus designated, neither shall be counted. If the cross (X) is not placed in the circle immediately below the party name at the head of the column, but does appear in the squares opposite the various candidates' names, then only these names shall be counted for, and none other. A cross (X) mark is any line crossing any other line at any angle within the voting space and no ballot shall be declared void because a cross (X) mark therein is irregular in form.3. It is unlawful to deface or tear a ballot in any manner or to erase any printed name, figure, word or letter therefrom, or to erase any mark made thereon by the voter.4. A ballot without any marks shall not be counted. Ballots shall be counted only for the person for whom the marks thereon are applicable; when a voter places a mark against two or more names for the same office, and only one candidate is to be chosen for the office, none of the candidates is deemed to have been voted for and the ballot shall not be counted for either candidate.5. DO NOT FOLD BALLOT. All ballots must be returned to the election authority no later than 7:00 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.Tit. 15, div. 30, ch. 10, exh. 3B CSR