a marked ballot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marked ballot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of voting, referring to a ballot that has been filled out or indicated in some way by a voter. Example: "After reviewing the candidates, she submitted a marked ballot at the polling station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Now, this, children, is what a marked ballot looks like".

The New Yorker

A voter feeds a marked ballot into the slot of the intElect, a navel-high digital scanner with a touch screen — next to a Shoup, it looks the way an iPad would look next to a mimeograph machine.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We made the conscious decision to have an image of a correctly marked ballot and to have a smiley face to draw people's attention," said John Arntz, the director of the Department of Elections.

The New York Times

Beneath the profanity, which can lead to a fine or arrest if uttered in public here, a caption read sarcastically : "A correctly marked ballot that was ruled invalid".

The New York Times

If I'd been able to post a picture of my marked ballot on Twitter straight away, I might be living a very different life right now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Never mind the old lady in Chernokozovo who showed a polling-station official her marked ballot paper to check if she had done it right.

The Economist

The agency said it would reinforce these instructions through newspaper advertisements and a "voter palm card" with a photograph of a correctly-marked ballot, to be distributed at polling sites and posted online at vote.nyc.ny.us.us

The New York Times

This, BuzzFeed and other outlets reported, was an apparent violation of a law against sharing pictures of your marked ballot with others.

Vice

A voting machine at a polling place should automatically stop a voter from submitting a double-marked ballot; but they can post them in.All legitimate concerns, but things can also go wrong with normal voting witness Florida's dimpled chads in the 2000 presidential race.

The Economist

A number of voters ignored the new legislation prohibiting photographs of marked ballot papers, including local celebrity DJ Sbu and footballer Andile Jali.

Wikipedia

As a technical matter, the largest inhibition to a negative vote appeared to be the voters' habit of holding their marked ballot up for inspection, but even that gesture was not universal, with some voters folding their ballots before they reached the box.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing election integrity, be specific about the type of "a marked ballot". State whether it's correctly marked, incorrectly marked, or pre-marked to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a marked ballot" in contexts where "marked" could be misinterpreted to mean 'noteworthy' or 'targeted'. Ensure the context clearly relates to the voting process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marked ballot" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of ballot, one that has been filled out by a voter. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing examples where the phrase denotes a ballot with selections made.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marked ballot" is a noun phrase referring to a ballot that has been filled out by a voter, commonly used in the context of elections and voting procedures. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media, lending it a neutral register. While "a marked ballot" may not be overly common, understanding its meaning is crucial for discussions surrounding elections. Consider alternatives like "a completed ballot" or "a voted ballot" depending on the specific context. Ensure clarity when using the phrase to avoid misinterpretations regarding its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a completed ballot

Focuses on the action of finishing the ballot rather than emphasizing the marks themselves.

a filled-out ballot

Highlights that the ballot has been fully addressed by the voter.

a voted ballot

Emphasizes the action of voting using the ballot.

a cast ballot

Highlights the act of formally submitting the ballot.

an annotated ballot

Suggests that the ballot contains notes or markings beyond simply selecting a candidate.

a choice recorded on a ballot

More descriptive, focusing on the act of recording a choice.

a selected option on the ballot

Focuses on the specific options chosen by the voter.

a ballot with choices indicated

Describes the ballot in terms of having specific selections.

a ballot showing voter selections

Highlights the ballot as a display of voter preferences.

a ballot submitted with preferences

Emphasizes the submission of the ballot with the voter's choices.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "a marked ballot"?

The phrase "a marked ballot" refers to a ballot paper on which a voter has made their selections or choices, indicating their preferences in an election or vote.

How to ensure my ballot is correctly "marked"?

To correctly mark your ballot, follow the instructions provided by your local election authority. Typically, this involves filling in the oval or connecting the arrow next to your chosen candidate or option completely. Avoid stray marks or erasures that could invalidate your ballot.

What happens to "a marked ballot" after it is submitted?

After submission, "a marked ballot" is collected and securely stored until it is processed and counted. The counting process varies depending on the voting system used, but it generally involves either manual counting or automated scanning of the ballots.

What can I say instead of "a marked ballot"?

You can use alternatives like "a completed ballot", "a filled-out ballot", or "a voted ballot" depending on the context.