The fraudulent casting of the vote of a registered elector by another person.
What is personation in an election?
The term Personation refers to the fraudulent act of voting in the name of another registered elector or otherwise impersonating an eligible voter. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
Is personation the same as voter impersonation?
Yes, in election terminology personation generally refers to fraudulently voting or attempting to vote in another eligible voter's name, so it closely corresponds to voter impersonation. The exact statutory offense and required elements vary by jurisdiction. It should not be confused with ordinary identity errors, duplicate records, or administrative mistakes without fraudulent intent.
How do election procedures deter personation?
The term Personation is used according to its defined context: the fraudulent act of voting in the name of another registered elector or otherwise impersonating an eligible voter. The surrounding election procedure, policy, system specification, or legal source determines who applies it, when it is used, and what operational effect it has.
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The fraudulent casting of the vote of a registered elector by another person.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Personation. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/personation
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