Legal Definitions - serpentine vote

A serpentine vote refers to a method of casting ballots where voters physically move in a designated, often winding or linear, path through a polling place or voting area. This process typically involves a series of stations or checkpoints that voters must pass through sequentially before their vote is officially cast. The term emphasizes the physical movement and structured flow of voters along a defined route.

• Example 1: National Election Polling Station

  During a national election, citizens arrive at their local polling station. They first join a queue, then proceed to a table where they present their identification to a poll worker. After their identity is verified, they move to another station to receive their ballot. Next, they enter a private voting booth to mark their choices. Finally, they walk to a secure ballot box and personally deposit their completed ballot, exiting the polling place.

  This illustrates a serpentine vote because voters follow a clear, sequential path from entry to ballot deposit. They "snake" through different stations, each serving a specific purpose, before their vote is finalized.

• Example 2: Professional Organization Board Election

  A large professional organization is holding an election for its board of directors at its annual conference. To ensure an orderly process, members are directed to line up. As they move along the line, they first check in with staff to confirm their membership status, then receive a paper ballot, proceed to a designated area to mark their ballot, and finally deposit it into a locked ballot box supervised by an election committee member before exiting the voting area.

  This is a serpentine vote because the members are guided through a structured, linear progression of steps—from verification to ballot marking to casting—all within a defined physical pathway, ensuring an organized and controlled voting experience.

• Example 3: Community Referendum at a Town Hall

  In a small town, residents are voting on a local bond issue at a community center. To manage the flow, organizers set up a series of tables. Residents first queue up to sign a register, then move to a table where they are handed a "yes" or "no" card. They then proceed to one of two clearly marked bins—one for "yes" and one for "no"—and drop their card into the appropriate bin as they pass by.

  This demonstrates a serpentine vote because voters physically navigate a defined sequence of actions: signing in, receiving a voting instrument, and then moving along a path to deposit their vote in a designated receptacle. The process is linear and requires physical movement through stages.