I was thinking that pens could be a marketing gimmick for getting out the vote. Have pens made with custom printing, hopefully from a local vendor, that play up the vote. Then people bring their special pen to the polls when they vote. People can be there at the polls to hand them out as well. Not only does that solve the problem of the sharpies, it also brings attention to what they were trying to do. It could be used as a fund raiser as well. Just an idea.