The Misleading Claim
There has been a persistent and false narrative suggesting that election workers have distributed Sharpies, markers, or other writing instruments to specific voters with the intention of invalidating their ballots. This claim has gained traction in various circles, leading to widespread misinformation about the voting process.
Why This Claim is False
In reality, poll workers are equipped with writing utensils that have undergone testing alongside ballots and ballot-reading machines well before Election Day. These writing tools may include pens, pencils, and even markers such as Sharpies, all of which are deemed suitable for use during the voting process.
Election officials often consult recommendations from voting machine manufacturers when selecting these writing instruments. For instance, certain companies that produce ballot-tabulating machines, including Dominion Voting Systems, endorse the use of felt-tip markers like Sharpies due to their quick-drying ink, which minimizes the risk of smudging. Additionally, election offices, such as Maricopa County’s in Arizona, have adapted their ballots to ensure that any bleed-through from markers does not interfere with the ballot’s readability.
If a writing utensil does create issues with reading a paper ballot—such as smearing or bleeding onto the reverse side—voters are given the chance to cast their votes again. According to the Council of State Governments, in cases of recurring problems, ballots can be reviewed and adjudicated manually by a bipartisan team, which includes representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
The Misuse of Falsehoods
The claims regarding the use of Sharpies often circulate as anecdotes and personal testimonies, rapidly spreading across social media platforms. These misleading assertions have been a prominent feature of election-related misinformation campaigns since at least 2020, when the term “Sharpiegate” emerged as a viral phenomenon that fueled unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud.
In that year, these claims gained significant traction, amplified by right-wing influencers and supporters of former President Trump, including Charlie Kirk, the founder of a pro-Trump youth organization, and Eric Trump, the former president’s son. Their endorsements helped to propel these false narratives to a much larger audience, further entrenching the misconceptions surrounding the use of writing instruments at polling places.
