Page:A History of the Australian Ballot System in the United States.djvu/60

 ballot for," followed by a designation of the polling-place for which the ballot is prepared, the date of the election, and a facsimile signature of the election officer preparing the ballots. The official indorsement upon the back of the ballot is used in thirty-two states. This indorsement is printed on the ballot in twenty-seven states, and in five states the election officers stamp the indorsement on the back of the ballot before it is delivered to the voter. California and Nevada provide that the paper used for the ballots shall be watermarked with a design selected by the secretary of state, and this watermark is discernible when the ballot is folded. The design selected is kept secret from every person, except those engaged in preparing the ballots, until the day of election. The design is changed before each general election, and is not used again for a specified number of years.