Election Integrity & Administration

The principle that elections should be conducted fairly, accurately, and in accordance with the law, producing results that genuinely reflect the will of eligible voters. Election integrity encompasses a wide range of concerns, including accurate voter rolls, secure ballot handling, reliable vote counting technology, transparent administration, and protection against fraud, errors, and interference. The term has become politically charged in recent years, with some using it specifically in the context of claims about fraud, while others use it more broadly to include concerns about voter suppression and unequal access to the ballot.

The formal governmental process by which election results are officially verified and declared final following a review of the vote count. Certification typically occurs at multiple levels: local election officials certify their results, which are then certified at the state level by the secretary of state or a state canvassing board. Certification is a legal requirement and carries significant weight as the official government determination of who won an election. Refusing to certify results without a legitimate legal basis is a serious breach of an election official's duty.

The official post-election process of reviewing, verifying, and tabulating all ballots to produce a final certified count. Canvassing involves reconciling the number of ballots cast against the number of voters who checked in, reviewing provisional and challenged ballots to determine which should be counted, and producing a complete and accurate tally of results. The canvass is conducted by local election officials and is distinct from the unofficial election night count, which is often incomplete.

A post-election review of some or all ballots and election processes designed to verify the accuracy of the reported results and identify any errors or irregularities. Election audits range from simple hand counts of a random sample of ballots to comprehensive risk-limiting audits that use statistical methods to verify the outcome with a high degree of confidence. Regular audits are a standard part of responsible election administration and help build public trust in results.

The documented record of who has had access to ballots and election materials at every stage of the process, from printing through casting, collection, storage, and counting. Maintaining a clear and unbroken chain of custody is essential to the security and integrity of an election because it allows officials to account for every ballot and to detect any unauthorized handling. Breaks in chain of custody procedures are taken seriously by election administrators and can provide grounds for legal challenges.

The official list of registered voters assigned to a particular polling place, used by poll workers to check in voters on Election Day. Traditional poll books are printed paper documents, while electronic poll books are tablet or laptop-based systems that can be updated in real time. The poll book is a critical tool for verifying voter eligibility at the polls and for tracking who has voted, which prevents a person from voting more than once in the same election.

The official list of all registered voters in a jurisdiction, maintained by the local or state election authority. Voter rolls, also called voter registration lists or voter files, are used to determine who is eligible to vote in a given election, to assign voters to polling places, and to mail election materials. Maintaining accurate voter rolls is an ongoing administrative challenge, as people move, change names, die, or become ineligible due to felony conviction, and outdated rolls can create problems for legitimate voters.

The ongoing process of updating and cleaning voter registration lists to ensure they are accurate and current. Voter roll maintenance includes removing voters who have died, moved out of jurisdiction, or become ineligible, as well as updating records for voters who have changed their address or name. Federal law governs how states may conduct voter roll maintenance and requires that removal processes be uniform, nondiscriminatory, and give voters adequate notice and opportunity to respond before being removed.

The removal or denial of a person's right to vote. Disenfranchisement can be legal, as in the case of laws that prohibit people with certain felony convictions from voting, or illegal, as in the case of deliberate efforts to prevent eligible voters from casting ballots. Historical examples of systematic disenfranchisement include poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses used to prevent Black Americans from voting in the South. Contemporary concerns about disenfranchisement focus on voter ID laws, voter roll purges, polling place closures, and other practices that may disproportionately affect certain communities.

A person authorized to monitor the conduct of an election at a polling place, counting facility, or canvassing board meeting. Election observers can be representatives of political parties or campaigns, nonpartisan monitors, or in some cases representatives of foreign governments or international organizations invited to observe the process. Observers have the right to watch but not to interfere with election administration. Their presence is considered an important transparency measure that helps build public confidence in results.

An observer who monitors elections on behalf of a nonpartisan organization rather than a political party or candidate. Nonpartisan monitors focus on whether the election is being conducted fairly, legally, and consistently with established procedures, without regard to which candidate or party benefits. Organizations that conduct nonpartisan election monitoring include the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and various academic and civil society groups.

Any conduct intended to coerce, threaten, or intimidate voters in the exercise of their right to vote. Voter intimidation is a federal crime under multiple statutes including the Voting Rights Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act, as well as a violation of state law in every state. Historical forms of voter intimidation included physical violence and economic retaliation against Black voters in the South. Contemporary concerns include aggressive poll watching, the presence of armed individuals near polling places, and threatening communications directed at voters or election workers.

False or misleading information about elections, voting procedures, candidates, or results that can discourage participation, undermine public confidence in elections, or incite challenges to legitimate outcomes. Election misinformation spreads through social media, partisan media, and in some cases statements by candidates and officials. It has become one of the most significant challenges to election administration in recent years, prompting efforts by election officials, platforms, and civil society organizations to counter false claims with accurate information.