Voting Technology

A ballot printed on paper on which a voter marks their choices by hand or with the assistance of a machine. Paper ballots are considered the gold standard of election security because they create a tangible, verifiable record of each vote that can be examined, audited, and recounted independently of any electronic system. The vast majority of U.S. jurisdictions use paper ballots in some form.

A paper ballot that the voter fills out directly, typically by filling in an oval or connecting an arrow next to their chosen candidates. Hand-marked paper ballots are the most straightforward form of voting technology and are widely considered the most secure because the voter's intent is recorded directly on the paper without any intermediate electronic translation. They are used in a majority of U.S. jurisdictions.

A paper ballot that is read and tabulated by an optical scanning machine. The voter marks the ballot by hand, then feeds it into a scanner that reads the marks and records the votes electronically. Optical scan systems combine the security of a paper record with the speed and accuracy of automated counting. They are the most widely used ballot tabulation method in the United States.

A voting machine that records votes directly in electronic memory without producing a contemporaneous paper record. The voter makes selections on a screen or keypad and the votes are stored digitally. DRE machines were widely adopted following the 2000 election but have fallen out of favor in many jurisdictions because the lack of a paper record makes independent auditing difficult. Many election security experts recommend replacing paperless DREs with systems that produce a voter-verified paper record.

An electronic device that helps voters mark their ballots, typically by displaying the ballot on a screen and allowing the voter to make selections using a touchscreen, keypad, audio interface, or other accessible input method. Once selections are made, the BMD prints a paper ballot or summary card that the voter reviews and submits. BMDs are commonly used as an accessibility accommodation for voters with disabilities but are also used as the primary voting method in some jurisdictions.

A paper record produced by an electronic voting machine that allows the voter to confirm that their selections have been recorded correctly before the ballot is submitted. The VVPAT printout is visible to the voter through a window on the machine and is retained as a physical record that can be used in audits or recounts. Election security advocates consider a voter-verifiable paper record essential to the integrity of any electronic voting system.

A general term for any mechanical or electronic device used to cast or record votes. The term encompasses a wide range of technologies, from early lever machines to modern touchscreen systems. Voting machines must be certified by state and in some cases federal authorities before they can be used in elections, and their security and accuracy are subject to ongoing scrutiny from election administrators, researchers, and the public.

A digital device used by poll workers to look up voter registration information and check voters in at the polling place, replacing traditional paper poll books. Electronic poll books can be updated in real time and make the check-in process faster and more accurate. They also allow poll workers to quickly verify registration status, flag voters who have already cast a ballot elsewhere, and record when provisional ballots are issued.

A machine used to count votes after ballots have been cast. In jurisdictions using optical scan ballots, the tabulation machine reads the marks on paper ballots and tallies the results. Tabulation machines are tested before and after each election to verify their accuracy, and results from machines are typically cross-checked against physical ballot counts during the canvassing process.

Two different approaches to when and where ballots are scanned and tabulated. In a precinct count system, ballots are scanned at the polling place as they are cast, allowing voters to be notified immediately if their ballot has an issue such as an overvote. In a central count system, ballots from multiple locations are collected and counted together at a central facility after polls close. Each approach has tradeoffs in terms of speed, accuracy, voter notification, and logistical complexity.

A post-election audit method that uses statistical sampling to verify that the reported election outcome is correct. Rather than counting every ballot, a risk-limiting audit examines a random sample of ballots and uses mathematics to determine with a high degree of confidence whether the reported winner actually won. If the margin is close, more ballots are examined. Risk-limiting audits are considered the most rigorous form of post-election verification and are required or recommended in a growing number of states.

A review of election results conducted after an election to verify that votes were counted accurately. Post-election audits can take several forms, from hand counts of a random sample of ballots to full machine recounts to risk-limiting audits. They serve as an important check on the accuracy of vote tabulation and help build public confidence in election outcomes. Most states require some form of post-election audit by law.

The set of practices, policies, and technologies used to protect election infrastructure from digital threats, including hacking, malware, and unauthorized access. Election cybersecurity encompasses the security of voter registration databases, election management systems, voting machines, and the networks that connect them. The federal government, through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, works with state and local election officials to assess vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses, though elections are ultimately administered at the state and local level.

The software platform used by election administrators to manage the end-to-end process of running an election, including ballot design, programming voting equipment, managing voter rolls, receiving and reporting results, and maintaining election records. Election management systems are a critical piece of election infrastructure and are subject to certification requirements and security reviews. Because they touch so many parts of the election process, their security is a key concern for election administrators and cybersecurity experts.

A device that reads a completed paper ballot and records the votes marked on it. Ballot scanners are used both at polling places, where voters feed their completed ballots directly into the machine, and at central counting facilities, where mail-in and absentee ballots are processed. Modern ballot scanners can detect overvotes and undervotes and are programmed to recognize valid marks across a range of pen types and marking styles.

A voting device specifically designed to allow voters with disabilities to cast their ballot privately and independently. Accessible voting terminals typically offer audio ballots for voters who are blind or have low vision, adjustable text size, sip-and-puff interfaces for voters with limited mobility, and other accommodations. Federal law requires at least one accessible voting system to be available at every polling place.