Primary definition
A "TABULATOR that counts votes recorded by means of marks made on the surface of a paper ballot." VVSG.
Also known asballot scanner · vote scanner · optical scan voting machine · OS · opscan · mark-sense reader
— Electronic Voting GlossaryView 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 →
EVG
Carnegie Mellon University
A "TABULATOR that counts votes recorded by means of marks made on the surface of a paper ballot." VVSG.
Electronic Voting Glossary · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Optical Scanner. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/optical-scanner
Sources
1 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026
01
Electronic Voting Glossary
Electronic Voting Glossary
Single-source
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.