Belonging to or maintained by the federal government.

A non-partisan professional organization of public officials composed of the secretaries of state of U.S. states and territories.

A non-partisan professional association of state election directors and administrators of U.S. states and territories.

A secure dataset of approximately 160 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records consisting of the names and addresses of individuals, families, and businesses who have filed a change-of-address with the USPS. Election officials use NCOA to update records in their voter registration databases.

A meeting where state and territory parties convene to select a presidential nominee.

Federal organization tasked with assisting in the development of voting system standards. NIST develops and maintains standards for a wide array of technologies. NIST scientists assist the U.S Election Assistance Commission in developing testable standards for voting systems.

A meeting where state and territory parties convene to select a presidential nominee.

A meeting where state and territory parties convene every four years in the United States to field nominees in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. This allows the nominees to be decided before the National Convention opens.

This act, commonly known as the “Motor Voter Law,” requires that states offer the opportunity to register to vote at their motor vehicle licensing offices (known as the DMV in many states). The law also requires states to offer voter registration at offices that provide public assistance or state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities, and armed services recruitment offices. NVRA also provides guidelines on registration list maintenance and sets limits on how voters can be removed from the rolls.

A term used when any registered voter can request an absentee ballot, without restrictions.

To propose an individual to be considered for public office.

Individuals who have been proposed for consideration to appointment to public office or who have received enough votes in a primary election to move onto a general or run-off election. This term can also refer to individuals selected by state and territory parties at a National Party Convention to represent the party as a candidate for U.S. President.

A formal written document signed by registered voters to request the names of candidates be placed on election ballots.

The process of being proposed for consideration to public office.

An individual who has been proposed for consideration to public office.

An error, mistake, omission, or intentional act that results in a vote not counting towards the final election result.

Any type of media on which information is stored, but which does not qualify as Paper or Printed Media, such as Micro Media (micro fiche and microfilm) or Computer Hard Drives.

Not affiliated with a political party.

Contest where eligibility to vote in that contest is independent of political party affiliation.

Failure or refusal to comply with something (such as a rule or regulation).

Fair and equitable.

A ballot option in some jurisdictions or organizations, designed to allow the voter to indicate disapproval of all candidates in a voting contest.

A group of individuals with either no party affiliation or undisclosed party affiliation, working together following specific rules and procedures, to compile, review, and validate election materials.

Election held with candidates in non-party-specific contests.

The act of completing the required paperwork to become a candidate for nonpartisan public office.

Primary election held to narrow the field of candidates in non-party-specific contests.

When not more individuals file to become candidates than there are open seats up for election.

A document that has been certified by a notary public, who is an official who verifies the identities of everybody signing the document and certifies the document with a stamp.

The announcement of an organization's intention, action or reminder.

Document providing further guidance and explanation on the requirements and procedures of the Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Voting System Certification or Voting System Testing Lab (VSTL) programs. NOCs may be issued in response to a clarification request from a Voting System Test Lab or an EAC registered manufacturer. EAC may also issue Notice of Clarifications when it determines general clarifications are necessary.

The final settlement of a matter, and with reference to decisions announced from an agency.