(NEXSTAR) — With many high-stakes races on the ballot, voters face important decisions on Election Day, from presidential candidates to state and local measures.
While some people may fill out a bubble in each section, others may be unsure about certain races and wonder: is it necessary to vote on every item?
This can be especially true with lengthy ballots that contain numerous down-ballot races, judicial appointments, or proposals that may not have received widespread media coverage.
Though widely encouraged, completing the entire ballot is not required.
Ballots that are partially filled — referred to as “undervoted” ballots — are still valid. So, you can opt to leave certain sections blank if you don’t wish to vote on them.
“For example, a voter may choose to vote for president, senator, and governor, but not for other offices or ballot measures that are lower down on their ballot,” the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency explains on a website debunking election rumors. “Even if a ballot includes an undervote in a particular contest, properly marked votes on their ballot are counted.”
To help make informed decisions, USA.gov, the federal government’s official web portal, suggests reviewing voter guides and sample ballots before heading to the polls.
Voter guides offer background information on candidates and ballot measures, including each candidate’s experience, goals, and explanations of specific issues that will be on the ballot. You can find personalized guides using sites like Ballot Ready and Vote411.
Sample ballots, on the other hand, simply show the elections, candidates, and measures you’ll encounter without additional information. Many local election offices offer downloadable sample ballots online, according to USA.gov.
Voters can often bring these materials into the voting booth, which may be helpful to avoid memorizing each selection. However, some polling places restrict cell phone use, so paper copies may be the better option.
Just make sure to check your local election office’s rules ahead of time. To find your local election office, click here.