Search Glossary

A voter whose record is current with the appropriate election authority and is eligible to vote.

A document containing personally identifiable information used to verify your identity or signature.

Officially associated with an organization. In terms of voting, this usually refers to voters registering to vote and formally associating themselves with a recognized political party.

Voter registration system whereby eligible voters are given the option to register to vote electronically whenever they interact with government agencies.

Under an automatic voter registration system, eligible voters are automatically registered to vote whenever they interact with government agencies (e.g., departments of motor vehicles).

A ballot with a specific set of contests and candidates for a particular precinct. Ballot styles vary based on which combination of contests and which party affiliation (in a primary election), that v…

Primary election wherein a voter may vote for candidates from any party, regardless of the political party affiliation of the voter or candidates.

Written messages to voters informing them they have been removed from voter registration lists.

A formal written document signed by registered voters to request the names of candidates be placed on election ballots.

A meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office or select delegates to attend a convention.

Rules and regulations that determine the process for a meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office or select delegates to attend a…

A list of voters maintained in a single, uniform, official, computerized statewide database of registered voters.

A single, uniform, official, computerized statewide database of registered voters.

An official, sworn statement by an elections office to attest that a citizen is a registered voter.

The act of a voter re-registering to vote with a different political preference or association.

The last day that a citizen can register to vote or update their voter registration before an election.

Some states use this term to define the action of an individual registering and casting a provisional ballot after the statutory deadline, but whose eligibility or registration status could not be con…

A notice mailed to a voter to confirm changes made to their information on a voter list. The notice may request that the voter take an action to confirm that the information contained in the notice is…

A notice mailed to a voter to confirm changes made to their information on a voter list. The notice may request that the voter take an action to confirm that the information contained in the notice is…

An application to register to vote from a person already registered to vote at the same address, under the same name and personal information.

Device that partially automates the process of checking in voters, assigning them the correct ballot style, and marking voters who have been issued a ballot. May be used in place of a traditional pape…

The universe of all voters who, if they cast a ballot, would have the legal right to have eligible contests on that ballot tabulated. This would include those who do not appear in the list of eligible…

The universe of all voters who, if they cast a ballot, would have the legal right to have eligible contests on that ballot tabulated. This would include those who do not appear in the list of eligible…

Among the challenges military and overseas voters face are the wide variability in rules and procedures governing registration and voting across states. The FPCA serves as a uniform registration and b…

Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs) work to ensure that military and overseas voters understand their voting rights, how to register to vote absentee, and have access to accurate nonpartisan voting info…

The first time that a citizen registers to vote.

A form of voter fraud in which someone registers to vote or registers someone else to vote using fictional information, or when they are ineligible to register to vote.

Election in which all eligible voters, regardless of party affiliation, are able to vote for candidates to fill public office and/or vote on ballot measures, and the office of the state governor is al…

A list of the individuals that have registered on an electoral roll where a voter resides, as a prerequisite for being entitled to vote.

A form used by a voter to request that a ballot be mailed to them.

A list of voters maintained in a single, uniform, official, computerized statewide or local registration database of registered voters.

Record that reflects the total votes cast for and against a specific ballot issue.

Several methods of application are available to the public so they may register to vote.

Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs) work to ensure that military and overseas voters understand their voting rights, how to register to vote absentee, and have access to accurate nonpartisan voting info…

A ballot where voters may select candidates of their choice regardless of party affiliation up to the maximum allowed for each race.

A primary election that allows state parties to decide whether they permit voters registered without a political party affiliate to [participate in their primary elections.

A primary election that allows state parties to decide whether they permit voters registered without a political party affiliate to [participate in their primary elections.

This act, commonly known as the “Motor Voter Law,” requires that states offer the opportunity to register to vote at their motor vehicle licensing offices (known as the DMV in many states). The law al…

A secure dataset of approximately 160 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records consisting of the names and addresses of individuals, families, and businesses who have filed a change-of-addres…

This act, commonly known as the “Motor Voter Law,” requires that states offer the opportunity to register to vote at their motor vehicle licensing offices (known as the DMV in many states). The law al…

A term used when any registered voter can request an absentee ballot, without restrictions.

A formal written document signed by registered voters to request the names of candidates be placed on election ballots.

Contest where eligibility to vote in that contest is independent of political party affiliation.

Elected office for which candidates run without political party affiliation.

A list of the individuals that have registered with a party affiliation on an electoral roll, as a prerequisite for being entitled or permitted to vote.

A list of the individuals that have registered on an electoral roll where a voter resides, as a prerequisite for being entitled to vote.

A master document with information about measures, initiatives, referendums, or candidates used to gather signatures from registered voters.

An election in which candidates run for offices as representatives of a political party, often in which their party affiliation is printed on the ballot.

Refers to a candidate or elected official's relationship to a particular party, not necessarily to a particular set of philosophical beliefs. In terms of voting, this usually refers to voters register…

The act of registering to vote and selecting a political party affiliation. Note, some states refer to registering with a party preference, and not formal enrollment or affiliation.