Legal Definitions - secret ballot

A secret ballot is a method of voting where the person casting their vote cannot be identified. This is done to protect the voter's privacy and prevent any outside influence on their decision. The ballot can be a paper or a ball used to cast a vote.

• Absentee ballot: A ballot that a voter submits before an election, sometimes by mail.
• Australian ballot: A uniform ballot printed by the government, listing all eligible candidates, and marked in secret.
• Massachusetts ballot: A type of Australian ballot where the names of candidates and party designations are printed in alphabetical order.
• Office-block ballot: A ballot that lists the candidates' names under the title of the office sought without mentioning the candidates' party affiliations.
• Party-column ballot: A ballot that lists the candidates' names in separate columns by political party regardless of the offices sought by the candidates.
• Texas ballot: A ballot that the voter marks for the candidates that he or she does not want elected.

These examples illustrate the different types of secret ballots used in elections. They all have the same purpose of protecting the voter's privacy and preventing any outside influence on their decision. The Australian ballot is the most common type used in many countries, including the United States. The other types of ballots are used in specific states or countries.