© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Duran: Sharpie Pens Not Banned At NM Voting Sites

New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran says her office has not banned Sharpie pen from marking New Mexico ballots on Election Day.

The office said Friday state officials recently ordered Paper Mate felt tip markers for counties over concerns the Sharpies might bleed through ballots. But the office said the bleeding does not affect how the ballot is tabulated.

State officials say county clerks can use either the Sharpie markers or the Paper Mate pens at polling.

Duran has advised counties not to use other types of pens, such as ball point pens or other markers because of potential problems.

Officials say the type of pen shouldn't affect absentee by mail ballots since ink will be dried before those ballots are tabulated.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.