Device that partially automates the process of checking in voters, assigning them the correct ballot style, and marking voters who have been issued a ballot. May be used in place of a traditional paper poll book. E-pollbooks can be stand alone at the precinct with a separate copy of the registration list or can be networked into a central voter registration system where they can check and update voter records in real time.

A group of individuals, authorized by local authorities, who are charged with participating in or observing elections and voting procedures prior to election day.

An official responsible for overseeing early voting.

The act of choosing a person to hold public office through a public election.

Candidates who received the highest or requisite number of votes in an election for public office.

An office that is filled primarily or exclusively via election.

Individuals who have been elected to hold public office or candidates appointed in lieu of being elected to a public office.

Elected positions have set terms of usually two, four, or six years. If there is a vacancy in the middle of a term, a candidate will be elected and only hold office until the end of the original term. For example, if an elected official retired one year into a four-year term, the next candidate would be elected to fill the remaining three years.

The act of managing, running, and overseeing an election.

An evaluation and analysis of any election or voting process.

Election Assistance Commission was created by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to assist the states regarding HAVA compliance and to distribute HAVA funds to the states. The EAC is also charged with creating voting system guidelines and operating the federal government’s first voting system certification program. The EAC is also responsible for maintaining the National Voter Registration form, conducting research, and administering a national clearinghouse on elections that includes shared practices, information for voters, and other resources to improve elections.

The official responsible for overseeing elections in a jurisdiction.

The official presentation of all of the contests to be decided in a particular election. Either in paper or electronic format, the mechanism for voters to show their voter preferences.

A group of individuals appointed, usually by local authorities, and charged with control of elections and voting procedure.

The official list of key dates and voting deadlines for an election.

A series of democratic activities to influence a political vote for or against candidates or ballot questions.

The act of confirming the final official results of a jurisdiction’s election. This event occurs after results from valid ballots are tallied from all sources (election day, absentee voting, early voting, provisional ballots, etc.) and results are validated and approved by those legally responsible.

Any person who is involved with administering or conducting an election, including government personnel and temporary election workers. This may include any county clerk and recorder, election judge, member of a canvassing board, central election official, election day worker, member of a board of county commissioners, member or secretary of a board of directors authorized to conduct public elections, representative of a governing body, or other person engaged in the performance of election duties as required by the election code.

The official laws that govern the electoral process.

A group of individuals appointed, usually by local authorities, and charged with overseeing elections and voting procedure.

A single decision or set of associated decisions being put before the voters (for example, the option of candidates to fill a particular public office or the approval or disapproval of a constitutional amendment). This term encompasses other terms such as “race,” “question,” and “issue” that are sometimes used to refer to specific kinds of contests. A single ballot may contain one or more contests.

Anything of value given, loaned, or advanced to influence a political vote for or against candidates or ballot questions.

The last day on which voters may cast a ballot. Absentee ballots and early voting ballots may be cast in advance of Election Day.

The department of government charged with administering elections.

All of the necessary items to conduct elections and voting. This can include technology such as electronic poll books, voting machines, and other non-technical equipment including voting booths and voting signs.

The misrepresentation or alteration of the true results of an election.

The official responsible for the proper and orderly voting at a polling location or an election process.

An election that is professional, impartial, and transparent in its preparation and administration throughout the electoral cycle.

The official responsible for the proper and orderly voting at a polling location or an election process.

A geographical area to which a practical authority has been granted to administer elections for political or administrative offices. Areas of jurisdiction apply to local, state, and federal levels. States, counties, cities, towns, and townships are all examples of jurisdictions.

A set of items that election officials need to assist voters at a voting location.