ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Election ink

Election ink is a special kind of ink that is used during elections to show that someone has already voted. This ink is usually bright and colorful, and it is applied to the finger or thumb of the voter.

Imagine going to a birthday party where they give everyone a special stamp on their hand to show that they are allowed to be there. People who don't have the stamp can't get in. Election ink works in a similar way!

Here's how it works: when you go to cast your vote, the poll worker will ask you to dip your finger or thumb into a small container of the special ink. This ink is designed to stay on your skin for several days, so it won't wash off easily.

Once you've been 'inked', you will be allowed to enter the voting booth and cast your ballot. When you're done, you'll be expected to leave the polling station and go about your day. If someone tries to vote again using the same name, the election workers can look at their finger or thumb to see if they have already voted.

In short, election ink is a colorful substance that helps election workers make sure that each voter is only able to cast one ballot.