Direct answer: ballots look different depending on your country, state, or local jurisdiction, but they share common elements. If you’d like, I can tailor this to your location, but here’s a general overview and how to find your exact ballot. What a typical ballot includes

• Election header: identifies the election type (federal, state/provincial, local) and the election date.
• Contest sections: separate sections for each race (e.g., president/prime minister, governor/MLA, city council) and for any ballot measures or propositions.
• Candidate list: for each race, a list of candidates with their party affiliation (when applicable) and a box or circle to mark your choice.
• Instructions: guidance on how many candidates you may vote for per race (e.g., vote for one, vote for up to three in a multi-seat race) and how to properly mark your ballot.
• Marking area: a clearly delineated area (usually a bubble, circle, or square) next to each candidate or option where you place your vote.
• Verification/return tips: where to place the ballot, how to seal or sign it if required, and any deadlines or submission methods.

Common design and usability notes

• Visual layout is usually left-aligned or columnar for easy scanning, with high-contrast text and clear voting marks.
• Some ballots list candidates alphabetically or by party; others group by office.
• Ballots may be paper or digital (ballot marking devices or online vote lookups exist in many places).

How to find your exact ballot

• Use official local election websites: look for a “What’s on my ballot” or “Sample ballot” tool.
• Enter your residential address (and sometimes name or date of birth) to pull the specific races and measures you’ll see.
• If you’re voting in person, ask poll workers for a sample or “what’s on my ballot” screen to preview before voting.
• For mail-in or absentee ballots, the ballot layout is usually shown in the materials you receive or on the official portal.

Important caveats

• Ballot design is governed by local election laws, so layouts vary widely between jurisdictions.
• Some jurisdictions use numbered races, color-coding, or party logos; others use plain text with boxes only.
• Always verify you’re looking at the correct ballot for your exact address and election date.

If you share your country, state/province, and municipality (or the exact election type), I’ll give a precise description of what your ballot will look like and point you to the official resources to view a sample ballot for your specific race.