10/17/2026
There are a lot of rumors and misinformation going around ahead of this November 3, 2026 Election. The misinformation of claiming that markings, intials, or signatures on ballots would invalidate a ballot. THIS CLAIM IS FALSE, as there is nothing in the law that would allow a ballot to be invalidated based on those markings and there are certain markings that are required by law to be placed on a ballot.
**Under Election Code 85.0311, an early voting ballot must include the early voting clerk's initials on the back of the ballot. This would include ballots by mail as well as ballots that are cast during early voting in person.**
**Under Election Code 62.008, an election day ballot must be signed on the back of the ballot by the presiding judge of the polling place where the ballot is cast.**
