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US ELECTION 2024

Is it mandatory to fill out every section on your US Election ballot or can some be skipped?

As the US Presidential Election looms, here are some tips for filling out the paper ballot.

Is it mandatory to fill out every section on your US Election ballot or can you skip some?
Jonathan DrakeREUTERS

The 2024 USA presidential election campaign enters its last full day on Monday with Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and their teams scrambling to get supporters to the polls in a contest each candidate portrays as an existential moment for America.

The polls still show that there is nothing to choose between both candidates with the electorate divided down the middle, both nationally and in the seven battleground states expected to decide the winner on Tuesday, although the closeness of the contest means it could take days for a winner to emerge.

For those heading to the polls on Tuesday, here are a few useful tips on how to complete the all important ballot paper.

Chocolate bars with the faces of Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump
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Chocolate bars with the faces of Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump Eloisa LopezREUTERS

Voting tips

The ballot includes presidential candidates, congressional candidates along with a number of propositions (these can range from minimum wage issues to same-sex marriage).

Voters are not obliged to vote in. every section and can select just the presidential race for example and the ballot still counts, and the vote will be counted for whatever race or races in which you vote.

Even if a voter isn’t voting on everything on the ballot, the ballot will still need to be marked clearly with signatures and placing your ballot in a supplied envelope.

Black and blue ink is strongly recommended to be used for counting purposes and election officials encourage voters to read instructions closely and carefully when voting by mail or in person.