Tallies of votes cast in an election after the polls have been closed for voting.
What is vote total?
The term Vote Total refers to the number of votes recorded for a candidate, option, contest, reporting unit, or election after the applicable ballots or vote records are counted. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is vote total used in election results?
Election officials use Vote Total to create, organize, verify, communicate, or reconcile information connected with the number of votes recorded for a candidate, option, contest, reporting unit, or election after the applicable ballots or vote records are counted. Documented handling makes the record easier to check later and can support canvassing, auditing, certification, retention, or public reporting.
How is vote total checked or verified?
Election officials use Vote Total to create, organize, verify, communicate, or reconcile information connected with the number of votes recorded for a candidate, option, contest, reporting unit, or election after the applicable ballots or vote records are counted. Documented handling makes the record easier to check later and can support canvassing, auditing, certification, retention, or public reporting.
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Tallies of votes cast in an election after the polls have been closed for voting.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Vote Total. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/vote-total
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