Physical paper records of voter ballots as voters have cast them on an electronic voting system. In the event that an election recount or audit is called for, the VVPT provides a supporting record. The 'voter- verified' part of the VVPT refers to the fact that the voter is given the opportunity to verify that the choices indicated on the paper record correspond to the choices that the voter has made in casting the ballot. Thus, the result of an election is an electronic tally of the votes cast and a paper record of the individual votes that have been cast.
What is voter verified paper trail?
The term Voter Verified Paper Trail refers to a paper record of an electronic vote that the voter can inspect before casting, providing a physical record that may support audits, recounts, or verification. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How does voter verified paper trail work in a voting system?
In practice, Voter Verified Paper Trail is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: a paper record of an electronic vote that the voter can inspect before casting, providing a physical record that may support audits, recounts. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system.
Why does voter verified paper trail matter for election verification?
Understanding Voter Verified Paper Trail matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to a paper record of an electronic vote that the voter can inspect before casting, providing a physical record that may support audits, recounts.
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Physical paper records of voter ballots as voters have cast them on an electronic voting system. In the event that an election recount or audit is called for, the VVPT provides a supporting record. The 'voter- verified' part of the VVPT refers to the fact that the voter is given the opportunity to verify that the choices indicated on the paper record correspond to the choices that the voter has made in casting the ballot. Thus, the result of an election is an electronic tally of the votes cast and a paper record of the individual votes that have been cast.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Voter Verified Paper Trail. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 21, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/voter-verified-paper-trail
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