Mobile County Probate Judge Mark Erwin stepped in on the eve of Election Day to debunk a circulating internet rumor that a simple mark on a ballot could cause a voting machine to reject the vote or signal tampering. The judge emphasized that the claim is a hoax and clarified the actual circumstances under which a ballot might be rejected.
What the judge said
“I think that’s an internet hoax that’s been going around, so let me just kind of dispel that for our folks in the public,” Erwin told local media. He explained that a voting machine will only reject a ballot if a mark interferes with the machine’s ability to read the voter’s selections. “There’s nothing that I’m aware of that would disqualify a ballot because it had a mark on it, unless the mark interfered with the machine being able to read it,” he added.
Procedures for suspected ballot issues
Erwin also addressed concerns that someone might tamper with a ballot before a voter receives it. He urged voters who notice anything unusual to alert a poll worker immediately. Voters can request to spoil the suspect ballot and receive a replacement. “If someone feels like something has been done to their ballot before they start marking it themselves, then they can discuss that with the poll worker and perhaps spoil that ballot and get a new ballot. There’s a whole process for that,” the judge said.
Absentee‑ballot activity
Mobile County has seen a modest increase in absentee‑ballot activity compared with the 2022 general election. For the 2026 race, 4,042 absentee ballots were requested and 3,684 were returned. In 2022, 3,906 were requested and 3,473 returned. The rise reflects continued interest in voting by mail, a trend the county is monitoring as part of its broader effort to ensure every eligible voter can cast a ballot safely and securely.
Polling hours and voter assistance
Polls across Alabama will be open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who have questions or concerns about their ballots are encouraged to speak with a poll worker at their polling location. The probate judge’s outreach aims to reassure voters that the voting process is reliable and that any legitimate concerns can be addressed promptly at the precinct.
Why this matters for Mobile County
By confronting misinformation head‑on, Judge Erwin hopes to prevent unfounded fears from discouraging participation. Accurate information about ballot handling and absentee‑ballot statistics helps maintain confidence in the electoral system, a cornerstone of both community stability and the constitutional right to vote.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
