overvotes
Too many selections
Overvotes are ballots that mark more candidates than allowed for a given race, rendering that portion invalid.
If a voter selects three candidates where only two are permitted, the ballot overvotes that contest.
Election officials track overvotes as a measure of ballot design clarity and voter error rates.
The confusing layout led to thousands of overvotes in the Senate race.
Ruined or overindulged
- voidWithout legal effect
- rejectedRefused or turned away
- disqualifiedDeclared unfit to compete
- invalidWithout legal force
ballot · tabulation · scrutiny · audit · recount · adjudication · certification · electoral
Failure to operate properly
- glitchMinor system fault
- misreadInterpret text incorrectly
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
chad · alignment · mismark · smudge · overfill · bubble · irregularity · anomaly
Formal accounts examination
- recountNarrate or retally
- canvassSeek opinions systematically
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
tally · verification · certification · observer · monitor · challenge · contest
Improper interference with something
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- malpracticeHarmful professional negligence
coercion · intimidation · corruption · forgery · collusion · investigation · prosecution · whistleblower
Able to be passed along
- ranked-choiceBallot listing candidates by preference
- preferenceFavored choice among alternatives
- quotaFixed assigned amount
- redistributionSharing out again differently
spoiled
Ruined or overindulged
- voidWithout legal effect
- rejectedRefused or turned away
- disqualifiedDeclared unfit to compete
invalid · ballot · tabulation · scrutiny · audit · recount · adjudication · certification · electoral · precinct
malfunction
Failure to operate properly
- glitchMinor system fault
- misreadInterpret text incorrectly
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
touchscreen · chad · alignment · mismark · smudge · overfill · bubble · irregularity · anomaly · discrepancy
audit
Formal accounts examination
- recountNarrate or retally
- canvassSeek opinions systematically
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
discrepancy · tally · verification · certification · observer · monitor · challenge · contest
tampering
Improper interference with something
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
malpractice · coercion · intimidation · corruption · forgery · collusion · investigation · prosecution · whistleblower
transferable
Able to be passed along
- ranked-choiceBallot listing candidates by preference
- preferenceFavored choice among alternatives
- quotaFixed assigned amount