The difference between total ballots cast and registered voters ballots cast.

The result printed by the vote tabulating equipment, to which have been added write-in and if applicable early votes and processed provisional ballots, certified by the election officer in charge, constitutes the official canvass of each election district. Note: This definition varies slightly by election districts nationwide, however all states certify an official canvass of the vote.

Under law, some voters are removed from the voter role for privacy and protection purposes. VoteRef makes available the data that the state makes public. Certain state laws and programs give voters the right to have their information redacted from voter registration records. When available we have provided the total count of these voters.

The difference between total votes and registered voters ballots cast.

The number of registered voters reported as casting a ballot per the state’s voter file.

There is a difference between total ballots cast and total votes. Total votes reflect the contest totals for candidates. However, not every individual votes in every contest but they still cast a ballot, and therefore are counted in the total ballots cast.

The number of ballots cast in the election per the state canvass.

The total number of votes cast in the jurisdiction for candidates in the contest.

This law prohibits voting practices and procedures that discriminate based on race, color or membership in a language minority group. It also requires certain jurisdictions to provide election materials in languages other than English.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

This law creates the right of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and overseas voters to register to vote by mail and vote by mail. The Federal Voting Assistance Program within the U.S. Department of Defense educates UOCAVA voters about voting rights and processes and designs forms specifically for these voters.

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986

This law (also known as “Motor Voter”) addresses increasing opportunities to register to vote, procedures to maintain voter registration lists, and provides for fail safe voting for certain voters. This is the federal law that requires voter registration forms at MVA offices and other State agencies.

National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993

This law was the U.S. Congress’ response to the 2000 Presidential election and the first time that the federal government authorized federal funds for election administration. It created the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and set minimum standards for voting systems. It also required each state to adopt uniform standards on what constitutes a vote, implement provisional voting, post certain information at polling places, maintain a statewide voter registration database, and required certain individuals to show identification before voting.

Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002

This law amended the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to improve access to voting by military and overseas voters. It required states to provide electronic access to various parts of the election process, mail absentee ballots to certain voters at least 45 days before an election, and develop a free access system to inform military and overseas voters about whether their voted ballots were received and counted.

Military and Overseas Voting Empowerment (MOVE) Act of 2009