Elections officials say ballots marked with felt tipped markers will be counted
Officials made the statement as rumors spread on social media that some ballots marked with a sharpie were rejected.
PHOENIX - State officials say ballots marked with Sharpie will be counted in Arizona, despite claims on social media that they would be rejected.
The controversy arose when people claimed their ballots were not being counted after using Sharpies provided by voting locations in Maricopa County.
Some people have claimed their ballot was canceled because of the Sharpies after checking online. Maricopa County officials say their "canceled" status is likely for people who had a mail-in ballot but chose to vote in person - effectively canceling their mail-in ballot.
While black and blue ink is highly encouraged to fill in the ballot bubbles, Sharpie is also accepted, according to Secretary of State Katie Hobbs. Felt-tip pens are discouraged because the ink can bleed through the paper, but in Maricopa County, the bubble columns are offset so that bleeding ink will not impact a citizen's vote
Maricopa County officials say they used fine-tip Sharpies in voting centers because they have the fastest-drying ink - this is crucial because the ballot is sent directly into the tabulation machine when voting in person.
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Maricopa County officials, Arizona Attorney General speak out
In a statement signed by Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman and Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, officials say sharpies do not invalidate ballots.
"We did extensive testing on multiple different types of ink with our new vote tabulation equipment," read a portion of the statement. "Sharpies are recommended by the manufacturer because they provide the fastest-drying ink."
Officials also reminded voters that vote counting is not a Republican or Democrat issue.
"Everyone should want all the votes to be counted, whether they were mailed or cast in person," read a portion of the statement. "An accurate vote takes time. It's possible the results you see now may change after all the votes are counted. This is evidence of democracy, not fraud."
Attorney General Mark Brnovich said a letter has been sent to Maricopa County election officials regarding the use of Sharpies at polling locations.
"We have received hundreds of voter complaints regarding Sharpies at polling locations. Accordingly, we sent this letter to Maricopa County election officials. Let's get some answers," read a tweet from Brnovich.
MORE: Interactive Electoral College map
Check your ballot status here: https://recorder.maricopa.gov/beballotready/
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