Defined term

Extraneous Mark

Extraneous Mark: A mark on a paper ballot that appears to be unrelated to the act of indicating a voter’s selection.

Also known as: Inadvertent Mark

Alternative names:
Inadvertent MarkRandom MarkStray Mark
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Definition

A mark on a paper ballot that appears to be unrelated to the act of indicating a voter’s selection. Examples include: a mark made unintentionally by a voter that is obviously not related to making a selection; a hesitation mark, a dot within or outside of the contest option position made by resting a pen or pencil on the ballot; written notes or identifying information not related to indication of the voter’s selection; or printing defects.

Alternative Definitions

Definition 2

A mark on a paper ballot that appears to be unrelated to the act of indicating a voter ’s selection. Examples include: a mark made unintentionally by a voter that is obviously not related to making a selection; a hesitation mark, a dot within or outside of the contest option position made by resting a pen or pencil on the ballot; written notes or identifying information not related to indication of the voter’s selection; or printing defects.

Source: NIST Election GlossaryType: standard
Definition 3

(opscan) A MARK, including a perforation, smudge or fold, that lies outside of a VOTING TARGET hence is not to be counted as a vote. 2007 VVSG.

Source: Electronic Voting GlossaryType: external

Sources

1
Glossary of Election Terms, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
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2
EAC Glossary of Terms
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3
EAC Glossary of Election Terms
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4
NIST Election Glossary
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5
Electronic Voting Glossary
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