A ballot "distributed by the election officer to the election judges to be given to voters to record their votes." Utah Code §20A-1-102(41). The "list of offices and candidates and the statements of measures appropriate for use with that system in combination with the device upon which a vote is registered is an official ballot." Nev. Rev. Stat. §293B.175. The "material displaying the names of the candidates nominated and a statement of the questions submitted." N.J. Stat. Ann. §19:47-1. Unfortunately, the term is quite troublesome since it conflates at several separate notions: (1) the list of candidates officially running in the election; (2) the document or screen on which the voter indicates choices; and (3) the evidentiary record from which the ultimate tally is made. In some jurisdictions requiring a VVPAT, it is unclear what the official ballot is, if there is any at all. Some statutes provide that the electronic record governs, but that if there is any inconsistency with the paper record, the paper record is the official ballot. In Nevada, the paper record must be "printed and serve as an official record for a recount, as necessary." Nevada Rev. Stat. §293B.084(2)(b). Thus Nevada appears to distinguish between an "official ballot" and an "official record."
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A ballot "distributed by the election officer to the election judges to be given to voters to record their votes." Utah Code §20A-1-102(41). The "list of offices and candidates and the statements of measures appropriate for use with that system in combination with the device upon which a vote is registered is an official ballot." Nev. Rev. Stat. §293B.175. The "material displaying the names of the candidates nominated and a statement of the questions submitted." N.J. Stat. Ann. §19:47-1. Unfortunately, the term is quite troublesome since it conflates at several separate notions: (1) the list of candidates officially running in the election; (2) the document or screen on which the voter indicates choices; and (3) the evidentiary record from which the ultimate tally is made. In some jurisdictions requiring a VVPAT, it is unclear what the official ballot is, if there is any at all. Some statutes provide that the electronic record governs, but that if there is any inconsistency with the paper record, the paper record is the official ballot. In Nevada, the paper record must be "printed and serve as an official record for a recount, as necessary." Nevada Rev. Stat. §293B.084(2)(b). Thus Nevada appears to distinguish between an "official ballot" and an "official record."
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Official Ballot. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/official-ballot
Sources
01
High consensus
02
Disputed
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