Primary definition
Refers to processing a ranked choice voting contest on a cast ballot, when that ballot becomes inactive and cannot be advanced in the tabulation for a contest because there are no further valid rankings on the ballot for continuing contest options.
Also known asinactive ballot · depleted ballot · non-transferable ballot
3 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 9, 2026
— EAC Glossary of TermsView source
Understand more election terms clearly
Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.
Free. One useful email each week. Unsubscribe anytime.Learn more about the ESG newsletter →
EAC
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Refers to processing a ranked choice voting contest on a cast ballot, when that ballot becomes inactive and cannot be advanced in the tabulation for a contest because there are no further valid rankings on the ballot for continuing contest options.
EAC Glossary of Terms · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Exhausted Ballot. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/exhausted-ballot
Sources
3 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026
01
EAC Glossary of Terms
EAC Glossary of Terms
High consensus
02
Electronic Voting Glossary
Electronic Voting Glossary
Disputed
03
NIST Election Glossary
NIST Election Glossary
High consensus
Get the weekly election term
Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.
Get election terms explained weekly →
Free · Nonpartisan · Unsubscribe anytime.