Q Terms — Election Security Glossary

A machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing URLs or other information for reading by the camera on a smartphone typically used for storing vot…

A 2-D, trademarked barcode. An optical, 2-D machine-readable representation of data that conforms to accepted standards.

A cybercrime business model in which ransomware developers sell ransomware code or malware to other hackers, called “affiliates,” who then use the code to initiate their own ransomware attacks.

Short name referring to technology that provides tamper-resistant protection to cryptographic equipment.

A requirement, such as being a registered voter, that is necessary in order for a voter, candidate, or election process to be acceptable for a specific purpose.

Election Qualification CODE

A number issued by NASED (National Association of State Election Directors) to a system that has been tested by an accredited independent testing authority for compliance with the voting system standa…

The “examination and testing of an electronic vo ting system by an independent test authority using the [federal] voting system standards … to determine whether the system complies with those standard…

Report of results of independent testing of a voting system by an independent testing authority documenting the specific system configuration tested, the scope of tests conducted and when testing was …

Examination and testing of a voting system by a NASED-accredited independent testing authority to determine if the system conforms to the performance and other requirements of the national certificati…

The conditions necessary in order for an individual to register to vote, such as being a citizen of the United States and over 18 years of age.

The conditions necessary in order for a voter to cast a ballot, such as registering to vote by a certain deadline.

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…

Officially recognized as having met the requirements; certified.

Any person who files all of the required forms to become a candidate with the proper election authority before the appropriate deadline. The candidate's name will be printed on ballot.

An individual who has registered on an electoral roll with the proper election authority and is entitled to vote.

A “REGISTERED VOTER who resides at the address listed on the Board's records.” D. C. Code Ann. §1-1001.02(21). Also DULY QUALIFIED ELECTOR, ELECTOR, QUALIFIED ELECTOR, REGISTERED ELECTOR, REGISTERED Q…

An individual who has registered on an electoral roll with the proper election authority and is entitled to vote.

A computerized statewide voter registration a nd election management system linking election officials throughout the State of Michigan to an interactive voter registration database. Abbreviated QVF.

A “person who is a resident within the corporate boundaries of the town in which he offers to vote, duly registered in the county of his residence, and otherwise a QUALIFIED VOTER. Va. Code §24.2-101.

Voting Systems that have met the standards to be certified for use in a jurisdiction.

Systems that have met the standards to be certified for use in a jurisdiction.

A candidate who has filed registration papers w ith the responsible authority and for whom a vote may be counted in a jurisdiction that permits only DECLARED WRITE-INS.

Any person seeking election, but whose name will not be printed on the ballot. For these votes to be tallied and certified, the candidate must file forms with the election official during the qualifyi…

The process of meeting all of the requirements to be officially recognized as certified.

The official time period for individuals to file all of the required forms with the proper election authority to be eligible to be a candidate for public office or to have a ballot measure printed on …

Under HAVA, a precinct that used a PUNCH CARD VOTING SYSTEM or lever voting system “to administer the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2000,” and thus eligible …

Use of a set of methods, principles, or rules for assessing risk based on nonnumeric categories or levels. (SP 800-30) (NISTIR)

A “manufacturer function with associated pr actices that is initiated prior to system development and continues throughout the main tenance life cycle of the voting system. Quality Assurance focuses o…

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

The “sum of the activities Design and Development Review, Design and Development Verification, and Design and Development Validation, as defined in ISO 9001:2000.” 2007 VVSG.

Operational techniques and activities that are used to fulfill requirements for quality.

Document stating the quality policy and describing the quality system of an organization.

A documentation item required of a MANUFACTURER under the 2007 VVSG, detailing the quality assurance and configuration management processes and procedures followed by the manufacturer in conforming to…

The measurable end-to-end performance properties of a network service, which can be guaranteed in advance by a Service-Level Agreement between a user and a service provider, so as to satisfy specific …

The measurable end-to-end performance properties of a network service, which can be guaranteed in advance by a Service Level Agreement between a user and a service provider, so as to satisfy specific …

Use of a set of methods, principles, or rules for assessing risks based on the use of numbers where the meanings and proportionality of values are maintained inside and outside the context of the asse…

A collection of interacting quantum mechanical systems, such as superconductors or trapped ions, that can be manipulated to process information.

Store files containing malware in isolation for future disinfection or examination. (SP 800-69) (NISTIR)

“‘Question’ means any proposition submitted to the voters.” Me. Rev. St at. §21-A-1(35). In some states the term is more limited. An “i ssue placed on the ballot to determine whether a judge or justic…

The counter which numerically registers the votes cast on a QUESTION. Ga. Code Ann. §21-2- 310(1). Likewise in Massachusetts. See also CANDIDATE COUNTER.

A formal written request signed by voters, to propose to create, amend, or repeal a state law or constitutional provision.

Any “election at which a special question is to be voted on by the electors of the state or a part of them.” Kan. Stat. Ann. §25-2503(g).

A “ VOTED BALLOT received in a mail absentee return envelope where the envelope is torn, taped, or shows signs of tampering, were the secr et ballot envelope is not used or not properly sealed.” Hawai…

A “paper ballot deemed questionable because of improper voting or other reasons.” Hawaii Admin. Regs. §2-51-1. A ballot that contains any mark or symbol whereby it can be identified, or any mark or sy…

Provisonal BALLOT. Alaska Stat. §15.15.215.

A statutory board that reviews information associated with QUESTIONED BALLOTS to determine which ones should be counted. Alaska Stat.

The Ballot Proposals to enact new laws or constitutional amendments that are placed on the ballot for approval or rejection by voters.

Proposals to enact new laws or constitutional amendments that are placed on the ballot for approval or rejection by voters.

The “quorum court of each county shall choos e by resolution a voting system containing voting machines or electronic vote tabulating devices, or both, or voting machines in combination with paper bal…

May have one of two distinct meanings: a. The number of votes which guarantees a party of candidate two win one seat in a particular electoral district in a proportional representation system. There a…