Ballot Basics: A Guide to Understanding the Choices on Election Day

What is a Ballot?

A ballot is a paper or electronic document that lists the names of candidates or issues that voters can select from in an election. Ballots can be cast in person at a polling place or by mail, depending on the voting system used in a particular jurisdiction.

Types of Ballots

There are two main types of ballots: partisan and nonpartisan. Partisan ballots list candidates who have been nominated by political parties, while nonpartisan ballots do not include any party affiliations.

Sample Ballots

Sample ballots are provided to voters before an election so they can review the candidates and issues that will be on the ballot. Sample ballots can be found on the websites of local election officials or at polling places.