**Glossary for Voting Systems**

This document represents the first step in creating this glossary that
is, collecting the terms. Next steps involve refining definitions,
possibly deletion of a term, addition of terms, etc. Your help is needed
-- to improve definitions, add new ones, etc.

The following terms were collected from several documents. In addition
to the definition for each term, each term includes:

-   Association: general areas that apply the term, e.g., voting,
    testing, security, (Appendix A: list of associations),

-   Source: where the definition came from (see list of sources at end),

-   Comments: area to indicate questions, comments, suggestions, etc.

At this time, a term may contain multiple definitions. The preferred
definition is first. The intent is to eventually have one definition per
term. The TGDC will be asked to indicate the preferred definition or to
supply a replacement. Note, that it may be the case that for some terms,
multiple definitions are necessary to convey the appropriate meanings of
the term.

***Questions/issues:***

1\. Ballot. Does a ballot still remain a physical thing? Or, should
ballot be more general -- a physical ballot (paper, card, tape), ballot
image (e.g., electronic version), audio ballot, video ballot?

2\. Accreditation, certification, qualification. Review terms and
harmonize with HAVA usage.

3\. Is cast vote record (IEEE definition) the same as ballot image?
Which cast vote record definition should we use?

**GLOSSARY for Voting Systems**

**A**

**Absentee Ballot:** Ballot prepared or cast by a voter other than at a
regular polling place.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Acceptance Testing**: Examination of a voting system and its
components by the purchasing election authority (usually in a
simulated-use environment) to validate performance of delivered units in
accordance with procurement requirements, and to validate that the
delivered system is, in fact, the certified or qualified system
purchased.

Association: testing, voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Access Board**: Independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility
for people with disabilities.

Association: human factors, HF: accessibility

Source:

Comments

**Accessibility:** Measurable characteristic that indicates the degree
to which a system is available to, and usable by, individuals with
disabilities. The most common disabilities include those associated with
vision, hearing and mobility, as well as cognitive disabilities. The
HAVA also includes accessibility requirements for Native American and
Alaska Native citizens and alternative language access for voters with
limited English proficiency.

Association: human factors, HF: accessibility

Source NIST HF Rpt, HAVA

Comments:

**Accreditation:** (1) Formal recognition that a laboratory is competent
to carry out specific tests or calibrations or types of tests or
calibrations. (2) Procedure by which an authoritative body gives formal
recognition that a body or person is competent to carry out specific
tasks.

Association: testing, standardization

Source: (1) NIST HB 150 (2) ISO Guide 2-6

Comments:

**Accreditation Body:** (1) Authoritative body that performs
accreditation (2) An independent organization responsible for assessing
the performance of other organizations against a recognized standard,
and for formally confirming the status of those that meet the standard.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: (1) ISO 17000, (2) IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Accuracy:** (1) Extent to which a given measurement agrees with an
accepted standard for that measurement. (2) Closeness of the agreement
between the result of a measurement and a true value of the particular
quantity subject to measurement. NOTE 1: *accuracy* is a qualitative
concept. NOTE 2: the term *precision* should not be used for *accuracy*.

Association: testing

Source: (1) IEEE 1583, (2) VIM

Comments:

**Accuracy for voting systems**: Ability of the system to capture,
record, store, consolidate and report the specific selections and
absence of selections, made by the voter for each ballot position
without error. Required accuracy is defined in terms of an error rate
that for testing purposes represents the maximum number of errors
allowed while processing a specified volume of data.

Association: voting, testing

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Adequate security**: Security commensurate with the risk and the
magnitude of harm resulting from the loss, misuse, or unauthorized
access to or modification of information. See also *risk assessment*

Association: computer security

Source: OMB A130

Comments:

**Alternate formats:** Alternate formats usable by people with
disabilities may include, but are not limited to, Braille, ASCII text,
large print, recorded audio, and electronic formats that provide
enhanced contrast or other assistive adaptations.

Association: human factors

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Approval:** Permission for a product or process to be marketed or used
for stated purposes or under stated conditions. NOTE: Approval can be
based on fulfillment of specified requirements or completion of
specified procedures.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: ISO 17000

Comments:

**Attestation:** Issue of a statement, based on a decision following
review, that fulfillment of specified requirements has been
demonstrated. NOTE: the resulting statement, is also known as a
*statement of conformity*.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: ISO 17000

Comments: is this term being used anywhere? By States? By NVLAP? By test
labs?

**Audio Ballot**: Voter interface which provides the voter with audio
stimuli and allows the voter to communicate intent to the voting system
through vocalization or physical actions. See also, *ballot*.

Association: voting, human factors, HF: accessibility

Source: Florida Statues

Comments:

**Audit**: Systematic, independent, documented process for obtaining
records, statements of fact or other relevant information and assessing
them objectively to determine the extent to which specified requirements
are fulfilled. NOTE: Whilst *audit* applies to management systems,
*assessment* applies to conformity assessment bodies as well as more
generally.

Association: testing, conformity assessment, security

Source: ISO 17000

Comments

**Audit Trail:** Record showing access to a computer system and the
operations that have been performed during a given period of time.

Association: security

Source:

Comments: Is there a better definition or one from an authoritative
source?

**Audit Trail for DRE:** Paper printout of votes cast, produced by
direct response electronic (DRE) voting machines, which election
officials may use to cross-check electronically tabulated totals.

Association: voting, security

Source: NASS

Comments:

**Authorized:**

**Availability**: Ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of
information.

Association: security

Source: 44 U.S.C.

Comments:

**B**

**Ballot:** (1) Physical form (e.g., paper, card, tape) presenting a
sequence of contests, ballot measures or both. Traditionally paper, but
may take other forms such as an electronic image, audio format, or a
video format. (2) Official election presentation of offices and
candidates, including write-in candidates and of questions and issues,
and the means by which votes are recorded. See also, *audio ballot,
ballot image, video ballot, electronic voter interface*.

Association: Voting

Source: (1) NIST HF Rpt (2) OH Statues

Comments:

**Ballot Configuration:** Combination of contests, ballot measures, or
both that is unique to a particular political subdivision, precinct or
portion of precinct in a particular election.

Association: Voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Counter:** Counter in a voting device that counts the ballots
cast in a single election or election test.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Counting Logic**: Software logic that defines the combinations
of voter choices that are valid and invalid on a given ballot and that
determines how the vote choices are totaled in a given election.
Election districts differ from each other in the way they define valid
and invalid votes and in their vote counting procedures.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments: Election districts or States (IEEE uses the former, VSS the
latter)?

**Ballot Form:** Abstract definition of what appears on the ballot in a
particular political subdivision, precinct or portion of precinct in a
particular election and the formatting thereof.

Association: voting

Source: DFlater

Comments: combo of VSS definitions - ballot configuration and ballot
format (dwf). Is this needed? (lsr)

**Ballot Format**: One of any number of specific ballot configurations
issued to the appropriate precinct. At a minimum, ballot formats differ
from one another in content. They may also differ in size of type,
graphical presentation, in language used, or in method of presentation
(e.g., visual or audio). Also referred to as *ballot style.*

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Image:** (1) Electronically produced record of all votes cast
by a single voter. (2) Record of all votes produced by a single voter.
See also, *Cast Vote Record*

Association: voting

Source: (1) VSS (2) dflater

Comments:

**Ballot Preparation**: Process of using election databases or other
means to select the specific contests and questions to be contained in a
ballot format and related instructions; preparing and testing election
specific software containing these selections; producing all possible
ballot formats; and validating the correctness of ballot materials and
software containing these selections for an upcoming election.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Position:** Abstract choice that is represented by a single
line item where a vote may be recorded in a ballot or ballot image.

Association: voting

Source VSS/dflater

**Ballot Production:** Process of converting the ballot format to a
media ready for use in the physical ballot production or electronic
presentation.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Rotation:** Process of varying the order of the candidate names
within a given contest to reduce the impact of voter bias towards the
candidate(s) listed first.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Set:** See *ballot image*.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Scanner:** Device used to read the data from a *marksense*
ballot.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Ballot Style:** See *ballot format*.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Baseline:** Product configuration that has been formally submitted for
review against the Standards, which thereafter serves as the basis for
further development; and can be changed and offered to jurisdictions
only through formal change control and requalification procedures
(and/or recertification procedures where applicable).

Association: voting, testing

Source: VSS

Comments:

**C**

**Calibration:** Set of operations which establish, under specified
conditions, the relationship between values indicated by a measuring
instrument or measuring system, or values represented by a material
measure, and the corresponding known values of a measurand.

Association: testing

Source: NIST HB 150

Comments:

**Candidate:** Person contending in a race for office. A candidate may
be explicitly presented as one of the choices on the ballot, or may be a
write-in candidate.

Association: voting

Source: NIST HF Rpt

Comments:

**Candidate Register:** Record that reflects the total votes cast for
the candidate. This record is augmented as each ballot is cast on a DRE
or as digital signals from the conversion of voted paper ballots are
logically interpreted and recorded.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Canvass:** Compilation of election returns and validation of the
outcome that form the basis of the official results.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Cast Vote Record (CVR):** (1) Record of all votes produced by a single
voter whether in electronic or paper copy form. Also referred to as
*ballot set* or *ballot image* when used to refer to electronic ballots.
(2) Permanent record of the choices made by the voter. Used for counting
votes.

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583 (2) Cugini

Comments: need to distinguish between physical vs abstract, physical
ballot requires printing, transporting, etc that are not the same when
have digital images (dwf)

**Catastrophic System Failure:** Total loss of function or functions,
such as the loss or unrecoverable corruption of voting data or the
failure of an on-board batter of volatile memory.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Central Counting:** Counting of ballots in one or more locations
selected by the election authority for the processing or counting, or
both of ballots.

Association: voting

Source: IL Statues

Comments:

**Certificate of Accreditation:** Document issued by NVLAP to a
laboratory that has met the criteria and conditions for accreditation.

Association: testing

Source: NIST HB 150

**Certification:** (1) Procedure by which a third party gives written
assurance that a product, process or service conforms to specified
requirements. (2) third-party attestation related to products,
processes, systems or persons.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: (1) ISO Guide 2-6 (2) ISO 17000

Comments:

**Certification Testing:** State examination and possibly testing, of a
voting system to determine its compliance with state laws, regulations,
and rules and any other state requirements for vote systems.

Association: testing, conformity assessment, voting

Source: VSS

Comments

::: definition
Challenged Ballot: Ballot provided to individuals whose eligibility to
vote has been questioned. Once voted, such ballots are not included in
the tabulation until after the voter's eligibility is confirmed. See
also, *provisional ballot*.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments: changed challenged to questioned (as used in IEEE)

**Claim of Conformance:** Statement by a vendor proclaiming that a
specific product conforms to a particular standard or set of standard
profiles, a claim which is verified or refuted by a testing authority.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: lsr/dflater

Comments:

**Client:** Any person or organization that engages the services of a
testing or calibration laboratory.

Association: testing

Source: NIST HB 150

Comments:

**Closed Primary:** Primary election in which voters receive a ballot
listing only those candidates running for office in the political party
with which the voters are affiliated, along with nonpartisan offices and
ballot issues presented at the same election.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS):** Commercial, readily-available
hardware devices (which may be electrical, electronic, mechanical, et
cetera; such as card readers, printers, or personal computers) or
software products (such as operating systems, programming language
compilers, database management systems, subsystems, components;
software, et cetera).

Association: IT

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments

**Compliance point**: Identified, testable requirement.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: dflater

Comments:

**Component**: (1) Element within a larger system; a component can be
hardware or software. For hardware, a physical part of a subsystem that
can be used to compose larger systems (e.g., circuit boards, internal
modems, processors, computer memory). For software, a module of
executable code that performs a well-defined function and interacts with
other components. (2) Individual elements or items that collectively
comprise a device, e.g., circuit boards, internal modems, processors,
disk drives, and computer memory.

Association: IT

Source: (1) derived from various sources (2) VSS

Comments: VSS is limited to hardware -- need to broaden to include
software

**Confidentiality:** (1) Prevention of unauthorized disclosure of
information. (2) Preserving authorized restrictions on information
access and disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy
and proprietary information.

Association: security.

Source: (1) IEEE 1583 (2) 44 U.S.C.

Comments:

::: definition
Configuration Identification: Element of configuration management,
consisting of selecting the configuration items for a system and
recording their functional and physical characteristics in technical
documentation.
:::

Association: testing, software engineering

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Configuration Item: Aggregation of hardware, software, or both that is
designated for configuration management and treated as a single entity
in the configuration management process.
:::

Association: testing, software engineering

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Configuration Management: Discipline applying technical and
administrative direction and surveillance to: identify and document
functional and physical characteristics of a configuration item, control
changes to these characteristics, record and report change processing
and implementation status, and verify compliance with specified
requirements.
:::

Association: testing, software engineering

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Configuration Management Plan:** Document detailing the process for
identifying, controlling and managing various released items (code,
hardware, documentation etc.)

Association: testing, software engineering

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Conformance:** see *conformity*

Association: testing, standardization

Source:

Comments

**Conformance Testing:** Process of testing an implementation against
the requirements specified in one or more standards. The outcomes of a
conformance test are generally a pass or fail result, possibly including
reports of problems encountered during the execution. Also known as
*conformity assessment.*

Association: testing, standardization

Source: NIST HB 150-7

**Conformity:** Fulfillment by a product, process or service of
specified requirements.

Association: testing, standardization

Source: ISO Guide 2-6

Comments:

**Conformity assessment**: Demonstration that specified requirements
relating to a product, process, system, person or body are fulfilled.
See also *testing, inspection, certification, accreditation, conformity
assessment bodies.*

Association: testing, standardization

Source: ISO 17000

Comments:

**Conformity assessment body**: Body that performs conformity assessment
services. NOTE An accreditation body is not a conformity assessment
body.

Association: testing, standardization

Source: ISO 17000

Comments:

**Consensus**: General agreement, characterized by the absence of
sustained opposition to substantial issues by any important part of the
concerned interests and by a process that involves seeking to take into
account the views of all parties concerned and to reconcile any
conflicting arguments.

Association: standardization

Source: Guide 2-4

Comments:

::: definition
Contest: Decision to be made within an election, which may be either a
race for office or a referendum. A single ballot may contain one or more
contests.
:::

::: definition
Association: voting
:::

::: definition
Source:
:::

::: definition
Comments
:::

::: definition
Count: Process of totaling votes
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Corrective Action:** Action taken to eliminate the causes of an
existing deficiency or other undesirable situation in order to prevent
recurrence.

Association: testing

Source: NIST HB 143

Comments:

::: definition
Cross filing: see *Cross-party Endorsement.*
:::

::: definition
Association: voting
:::

::: definition
Source: VSS
:::

::: definition
Comments:
:::

::: definition
Cross-party Endorsement: Endorsement of a single candidate or slate of
candidates by more than one political party. The candidate or slate
appears on the ballot representing each endorsing political party. Also
referred to as *cross filing*.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Cumulative Voting:** Practice where voters are permitted to cast as
many votes as there are seats to be filled. Voters are not limited to
giving only one vote to a candidate. Instead, they can put multiple
votes on one or more candidates.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**D**

**Data Accuracy:** (1) Data accuracy is defined in terms of ballot
position error rate. This rate applies to the voting functions and
supporting equipment that capture, record, store, consolidate and report
the specific selections, and absence of selections, made by the voter
for each ballot position. (2) The system\'s ability to process voting
data absent internal errors generated by the system. It is distinguished
from *data* *integrity*, which encompasses errors introduced by an
outside source.

Association: testing, security

Source: (1) VSS (2) IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Data Integrity: Invulnerability of the system to accidental intervention
or deliberate, fraudulent manipulation that would result in errors in
the processing of data. It is distinguished from data accuracy that
encompasses internal, system-generated errors.
:::

Association: security

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Decertification**: Withdrawal of certification of voting system
hardware and software

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: HAVA

Comments:

::: definition
Design Entity: Component of a design, named and referenced uniquely,
that is both structurally and functionally different from other
elements.
:::

Association: software engineering

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Design Entity Attributes: Named characteristic or property of a design
entity, which provides a statement of fact about the entity. Attributes
define the design entity and not the design process.
:::

Association: software engineering

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Designating Authority**: Body established within government or
empowered by government to designate conformity assessment bodies,
suspend or withdraw their designation or remove their suspension from
designation

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: ISO 17000

Comments

**Designation**: Governmental authorization of a conformity assessment
body to perform specified conformity assessment activities.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: ISO 17000

Comments

::: definition
Device: Functional unit that performs its assigned tasks as an
integrated whole.
:::

Association: IT

Source: VSS

Comments:

::: definition
Direct Record Electronic (DRE) Voting System: Voting system that records
votes by means of a ballot display provided with mechanical or
electro-optical components that can be actuated by the voter, that
processes the data by means of a computer program, and that records
voting data and cast vote records in internal and/or external memory
components. It produces a tabulation of the voting data stored in a
removable memory component and/or in printed copy.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Disability:** Disability means, with respect to an individual**,** (a)
a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of
the major life activities of such individual, (b) a record of such an
impairment, or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment.

Association: human factors, HF: accessibility

Source: Americans with disabilities act of 1990

**DRE Display:** Part of the DRE-VVPAT that displays the electronic
record.

::: definition
Association: security, voting
:::

::: definition
Source: VVPAT addendum
:::

Comments

::: definition
DRE-VVPAT: DRE voting system containing VVPAT capability. See also,
*Direct Record Electronic Voting System* and *Voter Verified Paper Audit
Trail*.
:::

::: definition
Association: security, voting
:::

::: definition
Source: VVPAT addendum
:::

::: definition
Comments:
:::

::: definition
E
:::

::: definition
E-Voting: (1) Term frequently used to refer to DREs and other types of
electronic voting equipment, but may be misleading as it implies remote
access via a computer network or the Internet. (2) Election system that
allows a voter to record his or her secure and secret ballot
electronically. See also *DRE*, *electronic voting machine.*
:::

::: definition
Association: voting
:::

::: definition
Source: (1) NASS, (2) Whatis.com
:::

::: definition
Election Coding: See *Election Programming*.
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Election Databases: Data file or set of files that contain geographic
information about political subdivisions and boundaries, all contests
and questions to be included in an election, and the candidates for each
contest.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Election Definition: Abstract definition of the races and questions that
may appear on ballot forms
:::

Association: voting

Source: DFlater

Comments:

**Election District:** Geographic area represented by a public official
who is elected by voters residing within the district boundaries. The
district may cover an entire state or political subdivision, may be a
portion of the state or political subdivision, or may include portions
of more than one political subdivision.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Election Management System: Set of processing functions and databases
within a Voting System that define, develop and maintain election
databases, perform election definition and setup functions, format
ballots; count votes, consolidate and report results, and maintain audit
trails.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Election Programming: Process by which election officials or their
designees use voting system software to logically define the ballot for
a specific election.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Electronic Ballot Printer (EBP): DRE-like device that fully prints
paper-based ballots with selected vote choices for tabulation by a
separate ballot scanner.
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Electronic Cast Vote Record (ECVR): Deprecated, replaced by *Cast Vote
Record* (CVR).
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Electronic Record:
:::

::: definition
Electronic Vote Capture System (EVCS): Election system that encompasses
DREs as well as accessible ballot printers (ABPs) when they are combined
with the ballot scanner that processes the printed ballot. See also
*Voter Verified Paper Audit.*
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Electronic Voter Interface** : Subsystem within a DRE voting system
which communicates ballot information to a voter in video, audio or
Braille form and which allows the voter to select candidates and issues
by means of vocalization or physical actions.

Association: voting, Human factors, HF: accessibility

Source: Florida statues

Comments: Delete?

**Electronic Voting Machine**: Any system that utilizes an electronic
component. Term is generally used to refer to DREs.

Association: voting

Source: NASS

Comments:

::: definition
Electronically-assisted Ballot Marker (EBM): Machines that provide
assistance to voters who are visually-impaired, who have difficulty
reading English, or in other cases where a voter has difficulty
correctly marking by hand a preprinted paper ballot that is to be
counted in optical scan systems. The device marks, or helps mark
selected vote choices on a previously inserted, preprinted paper ballot.
The machine then provides audio, tactile, or visual feedback to the
voter on what choices they have made on the ballot. The resulting
ballots are later tabulated on the same unit that processes ordinary
hand-marked paper ballots.
:::

Association: voting, human factors

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD): Entity-relationship diagram is a data
modeling technique that creates a graphical representation of the
entities, and the relationships between entities, within an information
system.
:::

Association: software engineering

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**F**

**Firmware:** Computer programs (software) stored in read-only memory
(ROM) devices embedded in the system and not capable of being altered
during system operation.

Association: IT

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Font:** Family or assortment of characters of a given size and style,
e.g*., 9-point Bodoni modern.* See type font.

Association: human factors, typography

Source: ANSI

Comments

**Functional Configuration Audit (FCA):** Exhaustive verification of
every system function and combination of functions cited in the vendor's
documentation. Through use the FCA verifies the accuracy and
completeness of the system's Voter Manual, Operations Procedures,
Maintenance Procedures, and Diagnostic Testing Procedures.

Association: testing, voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Functional Test:** (1) Test performed to verify or validate the
accomplishment of a function or a series of functions.

Association: testing

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**G**

**General Election:** Election in which voters, regardless of party
affiliation, are permitted to select persons to fill public office and
vote on ballot issues. Where the public office may be filled by a
candidate affiliated with a political party, voters choose among the
nominees of political parties and, as permitted by state law,
unaffiliated candidates.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**H**

**HAVA:** Help America Vote Act of 2002 creates the Election Assistance
Commission and expands the federal government's role in elections
through mandates, standards and funding.

Association: voting

Source: NASS

**Human Computer Interaction:** Discipline concerned with the design,
evaluation and implementation of interactive computing systems for human
use and with the study of major phenomena surrounding them.

Association: human factors

Source: ACM SIGCHI

Comments:

**Human Factors (or Ergonomics):** Scientific discipline concerned with
the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a
system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and
methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall
system performance.

Association: human factors

Source: IEA

Comments:

**I**

**Implementation Statement:** Statement by a vendor indicating the
capabilities, features, and optional functions as well as extensions
that have been implemented. Also know as implementation conformance
statement.

Association: testing

Source:

Comments:

**Independent Testing Authority (ITA)**: Deprecated, replaced by *Voting
System Testing Laboratory*. Organization certified by the National
Association of State Election Directors (NASED) to perform qualification
testing.

Association: testing, voting

Source: VSS

**Information Security**: Protecting information and information systems
from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or
destruction in order to provide - *integrity*, confidentiality, and
availability.

Association: security

Source 44 U.S.C.

Comments

**Inspection:** Examination of a product design, product, process or
installation and determination of its conformity with specific
requirements or, on the basis of professional judgment, with general
requirements. NOTE Inspection of a process may include inspection of
persons, facilities, technology and methodology.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: ISO 17000

Comments

**Integrity**: (1) Prevention of unauthorized modification of
information. (2) Guarding against improper information modification or
destruction, and includes ensuring information non-repudiation and
authenticity.

Association: security

Source: (1) IEEE 1583 (2) 44 U.S.C.

Comments:

::: definition
L
:::

::: definition
Logic and Accuracy Testing: Testing of the tabulator setups of a new
election definition to ensure that the content correctly reflects the
election being held (i.e. contests, candidates, number to be elected,
ballot styles, etc.) and that all voting positions can be voted for the
maximum number of eligible candidates and that results are accurately
tabulated and reported.
:::

Association: voting, testing

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Logical Correctness: Condition signifying that, for a given input, a
computer program will satisfy the program specification (produce the
required output).
:::

Association: testing

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**M**

::: definition
Marksense: System by which votes are recorded by means of marks made in
voting response fields designated on one or both faces of a ballot card
or series of cards. Marksense systems use an optical scanner or similar
sensor to read the ballots. Also known as *Optical Scan*.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Measure Register: Record that reflects the total votes cast for and
against a specific ballot issue. This record is augmented as each ballot
is cast on a DRE or as digital signals from the conversion of voted
paper ballots are logically interpreted and recorded.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Mechanical Lever Voting Machine**: Machine that directly records a
voter's choices via mechanical level-actuated controls into a counting
mechanism that tallies the votes without using a physical ballot.

Association: voting

Source: ME Statues

Comments:

**Multi-seat Content**: Contest in which multiple candidates can run, up
to a specified number of seats. Voters may vote for no more than the
specified number of candidates.

Association: voting

Source: NIST HF Rpt.

**N**

::: definition
NVLAP: The NIST National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program.
:::

::: definition
Association: testing
:::

::: definition
Non-partisan Office: Elected office for which candidates run independent
of political party affiliation.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Nonvolatile Memory: Memory in which information can be stored
indefinitely with no power applied. Static RAM, ROMs and EPROMs are
examples of nonvolatile memory.
:::

Association: IT

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**O**

::: definition
Open Primary: Primary election in which voters, regardless of political
affiliation, may choose in which party's primary they will vote. Some
states require voters to publicly declare their choice of party ballot
at the polling place, after which the poll worker provides or activates
the appropriate ballot. Other states allow the voters to make their
choice of party ballot within the privacy of the voting booth. Voters
also are permitted to vote on nonpartisan offices and ballot issues that
are presented at the same election.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Operational Environment: See *Voting Equipment Operational Environment.*
:::

Association: voting, IT

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Operations Procedures: See *Voting Equipment Operations Procedures*.
:::

Association: voting, IT

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Optical Scan, Optical Scan System: See Marksense.
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Overvotes: (1) Generally prohibited practice of voting for more than the
allotted number of candidates for the office being contested. (2) The
voting for more than the allotted number of selections in a race. (3)
Occurs when the number of alternatives selected by a voter in a contest
exceeds the maximum number allowed for that contest. Also known as
overvoting.
:::

Association: voting

Source: (1) VSS, (2) IEEE 1583, (3) NIST HF Rpt.

Comments:

**P**

::: definition
Paper-based Voting System: Voting system that records votes, counts
votes, and produces a tabulation of the vote count, using one or more
ballot cards or a written list of choices.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Paper Record: Paper ballot image or summary that is a copy of the
electronic record and that is verified by a voter. See also *ballot
image*
:::

::: definition
Association: voting, security
:::

::: definition
Source VVPAT addendum
:::

::: definition
Comments
:::

::: definition
Partisan Office: Elected office for which candidates run as
representatives of a political party.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Pass/fail Criteria: Decision factor or expected result used to determine
if software or hardware passes a test case.
:::

Association: testing

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Physical Configuration Audit (PCA):** (1) *Inspection* that compares
the voting system components submitted for qualification to the vendor's
technical documentation and confirms that the documentation submitted
meets the requirements of the Standards. As part of the PCA, the
building of the executable system to ensure that the qualified
executable release is built from the tested components is also
witnessed. (2) Review, by the test authority, of the vendor's technical
documentation, source code, and observation of the code compile.

Association: testing, voting

Source: (1) VSS (2) IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Precinct Count: Counting of ballots on automatic tabulating equipment
provided by the election authority in the same precinct polling place in
which those ballots have been cast.
:::

::: definition
Association: voting
:::

::: definition
Source; IL Statues
:::

::: definition
Point size:
:::

Association: human factors, typography

Source:

Comments

::: definition
Political Subdivision: Any unit of government, such as counties and
cities but often excepting school districts, having authority to hold
elections for public offices or on ballot issues.
:::

::: definition
Association: voting
:::

::: definition
Source: VSS
:::

::: definition
Comments
:::

::: definition
Polling Location: Physical address of a polling place.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Polling Place: Area within the polling location where voters cast
ballots.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Precinct: Administrative division representing a geographic area in
which voters cast ballots at the same polling place. Voters casting
absentee ballots may also be combined into one or more administrative
absentee precincts for purposes of tabulating and reporting votes.
Generally, voters in a polling place precinct are eligible to vote in a
general election using the same ballot format. In some jurisdictions,
however, the ballot formats may be different due to split precincts or
required ballot rotations within the precinct.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Precision:** (1) Extent to which a given set of measurements of the
same sample agree with their mean. Thus, precision is commonly taken to
be the standard deviation estimated from sets of duplicate measurements
made under conditions of repeatability, that is, independent test
results obtained with the same method on identical test material, in the
same laboratory or test facility, by the same operator using the same
equipment in short intervals of time. (2) Degree of refinement in
measurement or specification, esp. as represented by the number of
digits given.

Association: testing, statistics

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments: controversial term. This term is not well suited to voting
concepts. See ASTM E177 para 18.1 (jh)

**Pre-standard**: Document that is adopted provisionally by a
standardizing body and made available to the public in order that the
necessary experience may be gained from its application on which to base
a standard.

Association: standardization

Source: ISO Guide 2-4

**Primary Election**: Election held to determine which candidate will
represent a political party in the general election. Some states have an
*open primary*, while others have a *closed primary*. Sometimes
elections for nonpartisan offices and ballot issues are held during
primary elections.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Primary Presidential Delegation Nominations:** Primary election in
which voters choose the delegates to the Presidential nominating
conventions allotted to their states by the national party committees.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Privacy:** Voting system is said to provide privacy when it makes it
impossible for others to find out how the voter voted.

Association: security, voting

Source

**Profile**: (1) Subset of a standard for a particular constituency that
identifies the features, options, parameters, and implementation
requirements necessary for meeting a particular set of requirements. (2)
Specialization of a standard for a particular context, with constraints
and extensions that are specific to that context.

Association: standardisation

Source: (1) ISO 8632, (2) dflater

Comments:

**Provisional Ballot:** Ballot provided to individuals who claim they
are eligible to vote but whose eligibility cannot be confirmed when they
present themselves to vote. Once voted, such ballots are not included in
the tabulation until after the voter's eligibility is confirmed.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583, NASS

Comments:

**Public Information Package (PIP):** Data to be published openly and
made available to all without let or hindrance, irrespective of
need-to-know.

Association: testing

Source: dflater

Comments:

**Public Network Direct Record Electronic (DRE) Voting System:** Form of
DRE voting system that uses electronic ballots and transmits official
vote data from the polling place to another location (such as a central
count facility) over a public network beyond the control of the election
authority.

Association: voting

Source VSS

Comments: remove (lsr)

**Punchcard Voting System:** Voting system where votes are recorded by
means of punches made in voting response fields designated on one or
both faces of a ballot card or series of cards.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Q**

**Qualification, Federal:** Means the system has been certified, if
applicable, by means of qualification testing by a nationally recognized
test laboratory (i.e., *VSLT*) and has met or exceeded the minimum
requirements set forth in the Voting System Standards or in any
successor voluntary standard document, developed and promulgated by the
Federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

Association: voting, testing

Source: CA Statues

**Qualification Number:** Deprecated. A number issued by NASED (National
Association of State Election Directors) to a system that has been
tested by certified Independent Test Authorities for compliance with the
qualification test standards. Issuance of a Qualification Number
indicates that the system qualifies for certification process of states
that have adopted the Standards.

Association: testing, voting

Source: VSS

Comments: Revise or deprecate? Will NVLAP program have this? (lsr)

**Qualification Test Report:** Report of results of independent testing
of a voting system indicating the data testing was completed, the
specific system version tested, and the scope of tests conducted.

Association: testing, voting

Source: VSS, NIST HB150

Comments: modified VSS definition. Still valid? (lsr)

**Qualification Testing:** Examination and testing of a computerized
voting system by using qualification test standards to determine if the
system complies with the qualification performance and test standards
and with its own specifications. This process occurs prior to state
certification.

Association: testing, voting

Source: VSS

Comments: modified VSS definition. Still valid? (lsr)

**Quality Assurance Plan:** Document that identifies the system and
actions required to provide adequate assurance that an item or product
conforms to the documented technical requirements.

Association: testing

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Quality Control:** Operational techniques and activities that are used
to fulfill requirements for quality.

Association**:** testing

Source: NIST HB 150

Comments:

**Quality Manual**: Document stating the quality policy and describing
the quality system of an organization.

Association: testing, software engineering

Source: NIST HB 150

Comments

**R**

**Race:** Contest between candidates

Association: voting

Source

Comments

**Ranked Order Voting:** Practice that allows voters to rank candidates
in a contest in order of choice: 1, 2, 3 and so on. It takes a majority
to win. If anyone receives a majority of the first choice votes, that
candidate wins that election. If not, the last place candidate is
deleted, and all ballots are counted again, but this time each ballot
cast for the deleted candidate counts for the next choice candidate
listed on the ballot. The process of eliminating the last place
candidate and recounting the ballots continues until one candidate
receives a majority of the vote. The practice is also known as instant
runoff voting, preferences or preferential voting, or choice voting.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Recall Issue with Options:** Process that allows voters to remove
their elected representatives from office prior to the expiration of
their terms of office. Often, the recall involves not only the question
of whether a particular officer should be removed from office, but also
the question of naming a successor in the event that there is an
affirmative vote for the recall.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Recertification:** State examination, and possibly the retesting of a
voting system that was modified subsequent to receiving state
certification. The object of this process is to determine if the
modification still permits the system to function properly in accordance
with state requirements.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE

Comments:

**Records**: Recordings of evidence of activities performed or results
achieved (e.g., forms, reports, test results), which serve as a basis
for verifying that the organization and the information system are
performing as intended. Also used to refer to units of related data
fields (i.e., groups of data fields that can be accessed by a program
and that contain the complete set of information on particular items).

Association: security

Source: SP 800-53

Comments:

**Recount:**

Association: voting

Source:

Comments:

**Referendum:** Contest between tow (or more) choices in response to a
question (e.g., bond issue, recall, retention of a judge in office,
proposed amendment).

Association: voting

Source: NIST HF Rpt.

::: definition
Repeatability: Ability to obtain independent test results by using the
same testing method on identical test items in the same testing
laboratory by the same operator using the same equipment within short
intervals of time.
:::

::: definition
Association: testing, conformity assessment
:::

::: definition
Source: ISO 5725
:::

::: definition
Reproducibility: Ability to obtain test results with the same test
method on identical test items in different testing laboratories with
different operators using different equipment.
:::

::: definition
Association: testing, conformity assessment
:::

::: definition
Source: ISO 5725
:::

Comments: different definition than IEEE, this is less complex

**Requirement:** Provision that conveys criteria to be fulfilled. See
also, *compliance point*

Association: testing, standardization

Source: HB 150

Comments:

**Residue Vote**: Total number of votes that cannot be counted for a
specific contest. There may be multiple reasons for residual votes
(e.g., overvoting in a contest, failure to cast ballot before leaving
polling place).

Association: voting, human factors

Source: NIST HF Rpt.

Comments:

**Risk Assessment**: Process of identifying the risks to system security
and determining the probability of occurrence, the resulting impact, and
additional safeguards that would mitigate this impact.

Association: security

Source: SP 800-30

Comments

**Rolloff:** Difference between number of votes cast for contests in the
higher offices on the ballot and the number cast for contests that are
lower on the ballot. It sometimes referred to as voter fatigue.

Association: voting, human factors

Source: NIST HF Rpt.

Comments.

**Runoff Election:** Election to select a winner following a primary, or
sometimes a general election, in which no candidate in the contest
received the required minimum percentage of the votes cast. The two
candidates receiving the most votes for the race in question proceed to
the runoff election.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**S**

**Second Chance Voting:** Provides that voters are notified when their
ballots contain errors and are given a chance to correct them. Required
by HAVA 2002

Association: voting

Source: NASS

Comments

**Section 508:** Amendment by Congress in 1998, to the Rehabilitation
Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information
technology accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was
enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology

Association: HF: accessibility

Source:

comments

**Security Controls:** Management, operational, and technical controls
(i.e., safeguards or countermeasures) prescribed for an information
system to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of
the system and its information.

Association: security

Source: FIPS 199

Comments

**Specification, Technical:** Document that prescribes technical
requirements to be fulfilled by a product, process or service.

Association: standardization

Source: ISO Guide 2-4

Comments:

**Split Precinct:** Precinct containing more than one ballot format in
order to accommodate a contiguous geographic area served by the precinct
that contains more than one election district.

Association: vote

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Standard:** Document established by consensus and approved by a
recognized body that provides, for common and repeated use, rules,
guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at
the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.

Association: standardization

Source: ISO Guide 2-4

Comments:

**Standard, Product**: Standard that specifies requirements to be
fulfilled by a product or a group of products, to establish its fitness
for purpose. A product standard may include in addition to the fitness
for purpose requirements, directly or by reference, aspects such as
terminology, sampling, testing, packaging, and labeling and sometimes
processing requirements.

Association: standardization

Source: ISO Guide 2-6

Comments:

**Standard, Testing:** Standard that is concerned with test methods,
sometimes supplemented with other provision related to testing, such as
sampling, use of statistical methods, sequence of test.

Association: standardization

Source: ISO Guide 2-6

Comments:

**Standard on Data to Be Provided**: Standard that contains a list of
characteristics for which values or other data are to be stated for
specifying the product, process, or service

Association: standardization

Source: ISO Guide 2-4

Comments:

::: definition
Straight Party Voting: Mechanism by which voters are permitted to cast a
vote indicating the selection of all candidates on the ballot for a
single political party.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Support Software:** Software that aids in the development or
maintenance of other software, for example compilers, loaders and other
utilities.

Association: IT

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**T**

::: definition
Tabulation: See *Count*
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Tabulator:** Device that counts votes.

Association: voting

Source: dflater

Comments.

**Technical Data Package:** Vendor documentation relating to the voting
system that shall be submitted with the system as a precondition of
qualification testing.

Association: testing, voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

**Telecommunications:** Transmission, between or among points specified
by the user, of information of the user\'s choosing, without change in
the form or content of the information as sent and received.

Association: IT

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Test: Technical operation that consists of the determination of one or
more characteristics of a given product, process or service according to
a specified procedure.
:::

::: definition
Association: testing
:::

::: definition
Source: ISO Guide 2-4, NIST HB 150
:::

::: definition
Comments: do we need this and *Testing*?
:::

::: definition
Test Case Specification: Document identifying the specific inputs and
expected result for each test identified in the test plan.
:::

Association: testing

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Test Design Specification:** Expanded detail of the test approach
identified in the test plan for the related tests.

Association: testing

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Test Method**: Specified technical procedure for performing a test.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: ISO Guide 2

Comments

::: definition
Test Plan: Document created prior to testing that outlines the scope and
nature of testing, items to be tested, test approach, resources needed
to perform testing, test tasks, risks and schedule.
:::

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Testing:** Determination of one or more characteristics of an object
of conformity assessment, according to a procedure. Testing typically
applies to materials, products, or processes.

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: ISO 17000

Comments: Do we need this and *test*

**Testing Authority**: Organization that performs qualification testing
and produces qualification test reports. See also *Voting System Testing
Laboratory.*

Association: testing, conformity assessment

Source: dflater

Comments:

::: definition
Touch Screen Voting Machine: Machine that utilizes a computer screen
whereby a voter executes that voter's choices by touching designated
locations on the screen and that then tabulates those choices.
:::

::: definition
Association: voting
:::

::: definition
Source: ME Statues
:::

::: definition
Comments:
:::

::: definition
Traceability: Ability to relate a property of the result of a
measurement or the value of a standard to stated references.
:::

::: definition
Association: testing
:::

::: definition
Source: VIM
:::

::: definition
Comments: modified by lsr.
:::

**Type font**: Type of a given size and style, e.g., 10-point Bodoni
Modern.

Association: human factors

Source: ANSI

Comments

**U**

**Uncertainty:** Parameter, associated with the result of a measurement
that characterizes the dispersion of the values that could reasonably be
attributed to that which is being measures.

Association: testing

Source: VIM, NIST HB 150

Comments

**Undervotes:** (1) Occurs when the number of alternatives selected by a
voter in a contest is less than the maximum number allowed for that
contest. (2) Practice of voting for less than the total number of
election contests listed on the ballot, or of voting for less than the
number of positions to be filled for a single office (i.e., A person
would undervote if a contest required the selection of 3 out of a given
number of candidates, and the voter chose only two candidates). Also
known as undervoting

Association: voting

Source: (1) NIST HF Rpt. (2) VSS, IEEE 1583, NASS

Comments:

**Usability:** Effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which a
specified set of users can achieve a specified set of tasks in a
particular environment. Usability in the context of voting system
standards refers to voters being able to cast valid votes as they
intended quickly, without errors and with confidence that their ballot
choices as marked were recorded correctly. It also refers to the
usability of the setup of voting equipment for the election and the
running of the election by poll workers and election administrators.

Association: Human factors, HF: usability

Source: ISO 9241, NIST HF Rpt

Comments:

**Usability Testing:** Encompasses a range of methods that examine how
users in the target audience actually interact with a system, in
contrast to analytic techniques such as usability inspection.

Association: human factors, HF: usability

Source: Usability First Usability Glossary

Comments:

**User Documentation:** See *Voting Equipment User Documentation*.

Association: vote, test

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

**V**

**Validation:** Process of evaluating a system or component during or at
the end of the development process to determine whether it satisfies
specified requirements.

Association: testing

Source: VSS

Comments: delete -- difference between validation/verification unclear
(dwf)

Comments: keep - it is in the standard. improve with a note (jh)

**Verification:** Process of evaluating a system or component to
determine whether the products of a given development phase satisfy the
conditions (such as specifications) imposed at the start of the phase.

Association: testing

Source: VSS

Comments: delete -- difference between validation/verification unclear
(dwf)

Comments: keep - it is in the standard. improve with a note (jh)

::: definition
Verification and Validation (V&V): Process of determining whether
requirements for a system or component are complete and correct, the
products of each development phase fulfill the requirements or
conditions imposed by the previous phase, and the final system or
component complies with specified requirements.
:::

Association: testing

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Video Ballot: Electronic voter interface which presents ballot
information and voting instructions as video images. See also *ballot*.
:::

::: definition
Association: voting, human factors, HF: accessibility
:::

::: definition
Source: State of Florida Statues
:::

::: definition
Comments:
:::

::: definition
Vote for N of M: Ballot choice in which voters are allowed to vote for a
limited number of candidates for a single office from a larger field of
candidates.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Voter Registration System**: Set of processing functions and data
storage that maintains records of eligible voters. This system generally
is not considered a part of a Voting System subject to the 2002 Voting
System Standards.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

Comments:

::: definition
Voter Verified Audit Record: (1) Human-readable printed record of all of
a voter's selections presented to the voter before the vote is cast. (2)
Printed version of the ballot that voters may view and check for
accuracy before their votes are cast. See also *Voter Verified Record or
Voter Verified Paper Trail*.
:::

Association: voting

Source: (1) IEEE 1583 (2) NASS

Comments:

**Voter-Verified Paper Trail (VVPT**): see Voter Verified Audit Record.

::: definition
Voting Equipment Operational Environment: All software, hardware
(including facilities, furnishings and fixtures), materials,
documentation, and the interface used by the election personnel,
maintenance operator, poll worker, and voter, required for voting
equipment operations.
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Voting Equipment Operations Procedures: Ordered steps that election
personnel, poll workers or voters follows to perform the tasks for each
operational environment.
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Voting Equipment User Documentation: Electronic or printed material that
provides information for the election officials, poll workers or voters.
:::

Association: voting

Source: IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Voting Machine: Mechanical or electronic equipment for the direct
recording and tabulation of votes. See also, *voting system*.
:::

::: definition
Association: voting
:::

::: definition
Source: OH Statues
:::

::: definition
Comments:
:::

::: definition
Voting Position: Specific response fields on a ballot where the voter
indicates the selection of a candidate or ballot proposition.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

::: definition
Voting Station: Location within the polling place where voters may
record their votes. A voting station includes the voting booth or
enclosure and the vote-recording device.
:::

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Voting System:** Combination of mechanical, electromechanical, or
electronic equipment. It includes the software required to program,
control, and support the equipment that is used to define ballots; to
cast and count votes; to report and/or display election results; and to
maintain and produce all audit trail information. A voting system may
also include the transmission of results over telecommunication
networks. Also known as *voting machines*.

Association: voting

Source: VSS

**Voting System Testing Laboratory (VSTL)**: Testing laboratory
accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program in
the field of voting systems testing. See also *testing authority.*

Association: testing

Source: NIST HB 150-xx

**VVPAT-ballot box:** Ballot box containing the paper record.

::: definition
Association: security, voting
:::

::: definition
Source: VVPAT addendum
:::

Comments

**VVPAT-display:** Transparent covering over the paper record printed by
the DRE-VVPAT. It permits a voter to inspect the paper record but
prevents the voter from physically handling the paper record.

::: definition
Association: security, voting
:::

::: definition
Source: VVPAT addendum
:::

Comments

**VVPAT-printer:** Printing capability of the voting system, including
the printer and any associated device involved in printing the paper
records and transferring them to ballot boxes.

::: definition
Association: security, voting
:::

::: definition
Source: VVPAT addendum
:::

Comments

**W**

**Write-in Voting:** Means to cast a vote for an individual not listed
on the ballot. Voters may do this by using a marking device to
physically write their choice on the ballot or they may use a keypad,
touchscreen or other electronic means to indicate their choice.

Association: voting

Source: VSS, IEEE 1583

Comments:

**Workspace**: see *voting station.*

Association: voting

Source VSS

Comments in appendix C3

**Appendix A: List of Associations**

Conformity Assessment

Human Factors (HF)

HF: accessibility

HF: usability

IT - Information Technology

Standardization

Security

Software Engineering

Testing

Typography

Voting

**Appendix B: Sources**

44 U.S.C. United States Code, Title 44, Chapter 35, Information
Security, Section 3542, Definitions.

ACM SIGCHI ACM\'s Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction,
<http://www.acm.org/sigchi/> (February 2005).

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

ANSI American National Dictionary for Information Processing Systems,
American National Standards Committee X3, Information Processing
Systems, 1982.

CA Statues California's Senate Bill No 1438.

HAVA Help America Vote Act of 2002 - Public Law 107-252.

FL Statues Florida Statues: Section 97.021(3) and Section
101.56062(1)(n) Standards for accessible voting.

FIPS 199 Federal Information Processing Standard 199, Standards for
Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems,
December 2003.

IEEE 1583 IEEE P1583/D5.3.2 Draft Standard for the Evaluation of Voting
Equipment, December 6, 2004.

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