Rowan County Clerk’s Office warns voters about false online claim alleging ballots can be disqualified by poll worker actions

The Rowan County Clerk’s Office has issued a public warning after a social media post began circulating online with an allegation about poll workers marking voters’ ballots in a way that could lead to the ballots being disqualified.

According to the warning from the clerk’s office, the claim is false. The office said the post incorrectly describes the election process and could mislead voters about how their ballots will be handled once they are cast.

The post’s allegation centers on what it says poll workers can do when handling ballots. In response, the clerk’s office urged residents not to accept or share the claim and to follow official election guidance for questions about voting procedures.

Election administrators in Kentucky and across the state have long emphasized that ballot handling is governed by established procedures designed to protect voter intent and ballot integrity, and that voting equipment and ballot processing follow rules that do not match the social media description.

The clerk’s warning comes as voters prepare for the next stages of the election process in Rowan County. For voters who have questions about how ballots are counted or what might cause a ballot to be rejected, the clerk’s office directed residents toward official information rather than viral posts.

County officials’ communications typically focus on correcting misinformation quickly, since inaccurate claims can affect public confidence and cause unnecessary confusion for voters and families showing up at polling locations or contacting election offices for clarity.

The clerk’s office warning also highlights the practical risk of election-related misinformation, which can spread widely and trigger phone calls, rumors among community groups, and confusion about election timelines and procedures.

As of the time of the clerk’s office warning, the allegation circulating online had been publicly challenged by county election officials, and voters were advised to rely on official sources for accurate information about ballot processing.