On certain ballots, voters are instructed to draw a single line to connect the head and tail of the arrow that points to the choice to vote for a candidate or measure, instead of filling in a bubble or marking an X.
What is connect the arrow?
The term Connect The Arrow refers to a paper-ballot marking method in which the voter completes or connects a broken arrow to indicate a selection for optical scanning. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How does connect the arrow work in a voting system?
In practice, Connect The Arrow is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: a paper-ballot marking method in which the voter completes or connects a broken arrow to indicate a selection for optical scanning. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system.
Why does connect the arrow matter for election verification?
Understanding Connect The Arrow matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to a paper-ballot marking method in which the voter completes or connects a broken arrow to indicate a selection for optical scanning.
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On certain ballots, voters are instructed to draw a single line to connect the head and tail of the arrow that points to the choice to vote for a candidate or measure, instead of filling in a bubble or marking an X.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Connect The Arrow. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/connect-the-arrow
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