As a citizen, it is our social responsibility to exercise our voting rights. Not only is it important in our country’s democracy, but it also expresses what we truly believe in and helps us act on our desire for a better government. When you do not vote, it is said that you have not only taken away the chance for excellent governance to materialize, but you are also encouraging abstention unknowingly. This is why you need to vote, otherwise, there’ll be implications. In this article, we will talk about voting ballots and how you can make one that you can use during Election day. 

Mail Ballot Certification FREE 50+ Ballot Samples

1. Application for Mail-In Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 246 KB

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2. Inbound Ballot Process

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  • PDF

Size: 196 KB

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3. Application for Georgia Official Absentee Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 345 KB

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4. Early Voting Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 549 KB

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5. Absent Voter Ballot Application

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  • PDF

Size: 191 KB

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6. Absentee Ballot Request Form

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  • PDF

Size: 163 KB

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7. Absentee Ballot Application

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  • PDF

Size: 772 KB

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8. Sample Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 708 KB

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9. Mail Ballot Application

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Size: 210 KB

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10. Early Voting Ballot Application

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  • PDF

Size: 101 KB

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11. Ballot Voting

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  • PDF

Size: 190 KB

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12. Nonprofits and Ballot Measures

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  • PDF

Size: 48 KB

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13. Application For Vote by Mail Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 283 KB

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14. Emergency Application For Absentee Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 180 KB

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15. Official Absentee Ballot Application

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  • PDF

Size: 183 KB

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16. Application for State Election Absentee Ballot

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Size: 90 KB

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17. Request for Absentee Ballot

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Size: 104 KB

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18. Production Ballot

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Size: 667 KB

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19. Absentee Ballot Application Form

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Size: 145 KB

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20. Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 1 MB

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21. General Application For Absentee by Mail Ballot

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Size: 568 KB

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22. Official Ballot

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Size: 565 KB

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23. Absent Ballot Request

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  • PDF

Size: 818 KB

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24. Returning Ballot

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Size: 72 KB

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25. Ballot in PDF

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  • PDF

Size: 334 KB

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26. Ballot Designation Cheat Sheet

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  • PDF

Size: 124 KB

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27. Primary Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 128 KB

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28. School District Absentee Ballot Application

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  • PDF

Size: 180 KB

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29. Ballot Disposition Report

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  • PDF

Size: 127 KB

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30. Remaking Ballots

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Size: 268 KB

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31. Ballot Clerk

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Size: 42 KB

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32. Standard Ballot Template

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Size: 86 KB

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33. Preview Ballot

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Size: 41 KB

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34. Opportunity to Ballot Petition

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Size: 25 KB

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35. Elections Ballot

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Size: 109 KB

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36. Independent Expenditure and Ballot

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Size: 273 KB

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37. Quick Ballot

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Size: 968 KB

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38. Virginia Official Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 245 KB

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39. Voting Ballots in Qualtrics

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Size: 391 KB

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40. Absentee Official Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 828 KB

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41. Ballot Processing

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  • PDF

Size: 2 MB

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42. Formal Ballot

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  • PDF

Size: 243 KB

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43. Ballot Receipt

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  • MS Word

Size: 11 KB

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44. Election Code Ballot

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  • MS Word

Size: 7 KB

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45. Mail Ballot Certification

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  • MS Word

Size: 630 KB

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46. Provisional Ballot

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  • MS Word

Size: 29 KB

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47. Application For an Overseas Ballot

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  • MS Word

Size: 5 KB

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48. Authorization to Pick Up Ballot

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  • MS Word

Size: 6 KB

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49. Publication Public Review Letter Ballots

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  • MS Word

Size: 12 KB

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50. Notice of Independent Mail Ballot Election

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  • MS Word

Size: 35 KB

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51. Ballot Paper Account

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  • MS Word

Size: 12 KB

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What Is a Ballot?

A ballot is a piece of the document where one person can cast their votes during an election. The election isn’t only limited to picking out candidates for a whole country’s government, but it also can be about picking out the next student council president, classroom officers, board of directors, team officers, club officers, and many others. A ballot usually contains the names of candidates, tick boxes, voter codes, and a ballot serial number, but some people would give out blank ballots where voters will write down the names of their candidates manually. During a political campaign, candidates vying for a position would also provide voters with sample ballots as a method of instruction on how to vote for them. 

How to Create a Ballot?

To create a ballot, you should know who is going to use them. Is it the whole country? Students? Or people in your office? Identifying your voters firsthand will help you design a ballot that actually works for you, as well as complement your electoral system. Here are some tips and suggestions that you can follow when making your own ballot.

1. Choose a Format

First, you need to understand that there are two common types of ballots depending on the format, style, and instructions. The most common one is the blank sheet ballot where voters will have to manually write down the names of the person they want to vote for. The other one is where you can see tick boxes that can either be checked or shaded, which you can mostly find beside the name of a candidate. Picking a format is very important since it will help you design your ballot efficiently and accurately. 

2. Do a Layout

If you have chosen a format, then it is time that you do the ballot paper layout. If you have chosen the blank sheet type ballot, you only need to provide some instructions and numbered blanks (in accordance with the number of candidates per position) so the voters will know where to write down their choices. For those that want to use the checklist style, not only would you have to put tick boxes beside the candidate’s name, but you also need to categorize them according to positions they want to be elected to so that the voters can easily identify and search for them. Make sure to leave enough white spaces so that your voters can read clearly. 

3. Provide a Code

If you are conducting an election for a big community, it is not easy to know whether the ballots are cast properly, or were discarded unknowingly (assuming you don’t have enough people to notice this one). This is why you need to provide your ballot with codes that you can use to trace ballots cast and those that aren’t used for monitoring. Most of the time, ballots have barcodes which can be helpful in syncing data to your digital election device. However, you can make your own type of code that you think is more appropriate and convenient for you. 

4. Always Check Your Voter System

Sometimes, cheating can be done when you do not have a clue as to who your voters are and if they are eligible to vote. That is why, before making a ballot, make sure that you have updated your voters’ list. Check out who is eligible to vote, those who have not updated their voter registration, and those who have passed on (as their identity can be used by those who want to rig the elections). Coordinate with your office, school administration, and or your official polling precincts and agency to make this work. 

Why should I vote?

Voting is one of our basic human rights, as this is where we are able to express our desire to experience good governance. It also helps us discourage the act of abstention and voter apathy. Voting helps us change the system of our government, schools, workplaces, and any institutions, as well as pick the right people who can lead us better and more effectively.

I am unable to vote in my country of origin because I work abroad. What can I do?

If you are working abroad and cannot go back home due to any reasons, then you can still vote during your country’s election day by going to the Consulate or Embassy of your country where you are currently located. These institutions provide the chance for absentee voters who are eligible to vote. You only need to bring ID cards and other identification documents to prove your citizenship.

What happens when one damages a national election ballot?

If someone damages a ballot unintentionally, like tearing a part of the paper or blotting ink over it, most of the time election officers would just disqualify that ballot. That means the voter’s choices are automatically not counted. However, by tearing and damaging the ballot with the intent to rig or cause the failure of elections, one will be implicated with legal consequences which differ from country to country.

Ballots are very essential during election days as it helps speed up the process of choosing a candidate for a position. That is why you need to make sure that they are accounted for as they will be the instrument that will help shape the future of an educational institution, a growth-inducing workplace, or a stable and strong government. Download our editable and printable ballot sample templates today by clicking on our wide array of available samples or by visiting our website. 

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