Legal Definitions - pregnant chad

A pregnant chad refers to a specific type of indentation found on a punch-card ballot. In the context of elections where voters use a stylus or punching device to mark their choices, a "chad" is the small piece of paper that is meant to be completely detached from the ballot to register a vote.

A pregnant chad occurs when this small piece of paper is pushed inward by the voter, creating a noticeable bulge or dimple on the ballot, but it remains attached to the ballot on all four sides. Unlike a "hanging chad" (which is attached on one or two sides) or a "dimpled chad" (which is merely indented without a bulge), a pregnant chad is fully connected but clearly distended. This condition often leads to ambiguity regarding the voter's intent, as it's unclear whether the voter intended to cast a vote for that particular option or if the punch was incomplete.

• Example 1: Ballot Machine Rejection

  During a local election, a voter attempts to punch their selection for mayor. Due to a slightly dull punching tool or insufficient force, the small paper rectangle (the chad) is pushed inward but doesn't fully detach. When this ballot is later fed into an automated counting machine, the machine detects the bulge of the pregnant chad and, unable to definitively read it as a vote or a non-vote, flags the ballot for manual review. The machine's sensors are designed to detect a clean hole, and the distended but still attached paper interferes with this detection.

• Example 2: Manual Recount Discrepancy

  Following a very close state senate race, a mandatory recount is initiated. Election officials are manually inspecting punch-card ballots. One official holds a ballot up to the light and notices that for a particular candidate, the chad is clearly pushed in, creating a noticeable bump on the reverse side, but it is still firmly attached on all four edges. This is identified as a pregnant chad. The officials must then consult established guidelines or legal precedents to determine whether this specific type of indentation should be counted as a valid vote, a challenging decision given the ambiguity of the voter's original intent.

• Example 3: Voter Education Campaign

  Ahead of a major presidential election, a non-partisan organization launches a voter education campaign. They create informational posters and videos demonstrating how to properly use punch-card voting machines. One segment specifically warns against pressing too lightly, showing an animation of a stylus pushing a chad inward without detaching it, resulting in a pregnant chad. The campaign explains that such an outcome could lead to their vote not being counted, emphasizing the importance of a firm, complete punch to ensure their ballot accurately reflects their choices.