In plain English
A ballot scanner is a device that reads the selections a voter marked on a paper ballot and records them electronically.
Definition
Device used to read the voter selection data from a paper ballot or ballot card.
Also known asoptical scan machine · ballot marking device · BMD · ballot reader · vote tabulator · electronic ballot counter
— EAC Glossary of TermsView source
Example
At the precinct, a voter feeds her paper ballot into a ballot scanner, which reads the filled ovals and adds her choices to the tabulation totals.
Why this term matters
Scanners determine how voter marks become vote totals, so their accuracy and security directly affect whether reported results reflect what voters actually marked.
How it is used in election security
Officials test scanners before each election, use them at polling places or central count facilities to read paper ballots, and rely on their logs and audit records during recounts and audits.
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EAC
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Device used to read the voter selection data from a paper ballot or ballot card.
EAC Glossary of Terms · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Ballot Scanner. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/ballot-scanner
Sources
3 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026
01
EAC Glossary of Terms
EAC Glossary of Terms
High consensus
02
Electronic Voting Glossary
Electronic Voting Glossary
Multi-source
03
NIST Election Glossary
NIST Election Glossary
Multi-source
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