>>25108616
>>25108555
Sharpie ink.
The "Sharpie incident"—frequently referred to online as "Sharpiegate"—began in Maricopa County, Arizona, on November 4, 2020, the morning after the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
What Happened
The incident started as a viral social media rumor claiming that election officials intentionally provided conservative voters with Sharpie markers so the ink would bleed through the ballot paper, causing the electronic tabulators to reject and invalidate their votes.
The rumor escalated rapidly on November 4 and 5, 2020, fueling public protests outside the Maricopa County Elections Department office in Phoenix and prompting a legal complaint by the Trump campaign.
The Facts & Resolution
State and local officials thoroughly debunked the claims almost immediately.
• Sharpies Were Recommended: The Maricopa County Elections Department specifically tested and distributed fine-tip Sharpies because the fast-drying ink prevented smudges that could ruin or jam the high-speed tabulation machines.
• Design Prevented Errors: The ballots were engineered with an offset layout. Even if the ink bled through the paper, it would only mark empty space on the reverse side, ensuring no valid votes were altered or cancelled.
• Official Conclusion: On November 5, 2020, then-Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich concluded an inquiry into the complaints, stating his office was "confident that the use of Sharpie markers did not result in disenfranchisement." The lawsuits tied to the claim were subsequently dropped or dismissed by judges.
To completely avoid a repeat of the online controversy and visual confusion, Maricopa County officially retired the use of Sharpies at voting centers starting in the 2022 primary elections, switching instead to specialized Pentel felt-tip pens and thicker ballot stock.
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The infamous Rudy Giuliani hair dye leak occurred on November 19, 2020.
The incident took place during a heavily televised Trump campaign press conference held at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C.. While Giuliani was sweating under the hot studio lights and speaking about 2020 presidential election legal challenges, prominent dark streaks of sweat (widely believed to be hair dye or touch-up cosmetics) began dripping down both sides of his face.
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The "Sharpie incident"—frequently referred to online as "Sharpiegate"—began in Maricopa County, Arizona, on November 4, 2020, the morning after the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
What Happened
The incident started as a viral social media rumor claiming that election officials intentionally provided conservative voters with Sharpie markers so the ink would bleed through the ballot paper, causing the electronic tabulators to reject and invalidate their votes.
The rumor escalated rapidly on November 4 and 5, 2020, fueling public protests outside the Maricopa County Elections Department office in Phoenix and prompting a legal complaint by the Trump campaign.
The Facts & Resolution
State and local officials thoroughly debunked the claims almost immediately.
• Sharpies Were Recommended: The Maricopa County Elections Department specifically tested and distributed fine-tip Sharpies because the fast-drying ink prevented smudges that could ruin or jam the high-speed tabulation machines.
• Design Prevented Errors: The ballots were engineered with an offset layout. Even if the ink bled through the paper, it would only mark empty space on the reverse side, ensuring no valid votes were altered or cancelled.
• Official Conclusion: On November 5, 2020, then-Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich concluded an inquiry into the complaints, stating his office was "confident that the use of Sharpie markers did not result in disenfranchisement." The lawsuits tied to the claim were subsequently dropped or dismissed by judges.
To completely avoid a repeat of the online controversy and visual confusion, Maricopa County officially retired the use of Sharpies at voting centers starting in the 2022 primary elections, switching instead to specialized Pentel felt-tip pens and thicker ballot stock.