1. A vote that is cast for a candidate or on an issue that differs from the choice intended by the voter. 2. A vote that fails to conform to statute. "Any overvote or misvote for one or more offices shall not invalidate the entire ballot." N.J. Stat. Ann. §19:53A-10.
What is misvote?
The term Misvote refers to a vote cast in a way that does not reflect the voter's intended selection, whether because of misunderstanding, ballot design, marking error, or another voting-process problem. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is misvote handled in an election?
In election administration, Misvote is applied according to its defined purpose: a vote cast in a way that does not reflect the voter's intended selection, whether because of misunderstanding, ballot design, marking error. Officials then use the relevant eligibility, filing, ballot, timing, notice, or procedural rules for that election. The exact process can differ by office, election type, and jurisdiction.
Why does misvote matter for voters?
Understanding Misvote matters because the concept can affect election administration, voter participation, legal decisions, or resilience. In this context, it refers to a vote cast in a way that does not reflect the voter's intended selection, whether because of misunderstanding, ballot design, marking error.
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1. A vote that is cast for a candidate or on an issue that differs from the choice intended by the voter. 2. A vote that fails to conform to statute. "Any overvote or misvote for one or more offices shall not invalidate the entire ballot." N.J. Stat. Ann. §19:53A-10.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Misvote. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 15, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/misvote
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