We have reexamined data collected during the flight of the SEEK S310-25 sounding rocket, together with a second set of radar measurements, to determine whether a more consistent interpretation could be derived, if we allowed for the possibility that sporadic E (Es) was configured as a sequence of elongated strips in the form of a frontal structure. We show that the features found in the plasma density, electric field (E&vec;) and the so-called quasi-periodic (QP) echoes are consistent with a polarization process acting on the Es strips that is driven by a Hall and not a Pedersen current. Specifically, we show that three large E&vec; spikes, measured in situ, appeared at intervals of ground distance that were nearly identical to those of the QP echoes. The vector relationship between the spikes and the background E&vec; was also consistent with this type of polarization process. We also briefly discuss a counterclockwise rotation of E&vec;, which could be related with a process responsible for the existence of frontal structures. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union