{"id":351498,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/can-i-leave-blanks-on-a-voting-ballot.html"},"modified":"2025-03-31T15:05:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T20:05:52","slug":"can-i-leave-blanks-on-a-voting-ballot","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/can-i-leave-blanks-on-a-voting-ballot.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Leave Blanks on a Voting Ballot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Leave Blanks on a Voting Ballot?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Yes, you can leave blank spaces on your ballot. It is not illegal to do so. By law, election officials must count all ballots, even those containing blanks.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Voting is a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. You can vote for all candidates on a ballot or none. Moreover, you have a right to privacy when you vote, meaning no one can accompany you in the voting booth unless you request help. You do not have to explain your choices, even if your choice is nothing.<\/p>\r\n

Reasons People Leave Blanks on Their Ballot<\/h2>\r\n

There are several reasons voters leave black on their ballots.<\/p>\r\n

First, many voters do not feel sufficiently informed about their choices, whether their choice is a candidate or a referendum issue. These voters prefer to leave portions of their ballot empty instead of casting an uninformed vote. And that is their right to do so.<\/p>\r\n

However, you should note that these executives, legislators, and ballot measures can impact you directly. We elect everyone from the president of the U.S. to your local animal control officer. County and city council members, school board members, and local judges make decisions that can impact your life. Your vote is your voice, whether the candidate is local or national.<\/p>\r\n

Protest Votes<\/h2>\r\n

Other registered voters leave blanks on their ballots as a form of protest. Voters who want to express discontent with a political party or candidate can leave blanks on their ballots. About 1.7 million people<\/a> left the presidential election portion of their ballots blank in 2016. These voters leave blanks in the hopes of sending a political message.<\/p>\r\n

If you wish to cast a protest vote<\/a>, don’t deface the ballot or fill in a portion incorrectly. Doing so risks classification as a spoiled ballot and not counted. When a close race results in a recount, many states examine ballots closely to determine the voter’s intent. Don’t partially mark a ballot you don’t mean to mark in full.<\/p>\r\n

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