Voting Glossary

A comprehensive guide to terms used in online voting, electoral systems, and democratic processes.

43 Terms Updated 25 June 2025

About This Glossary

This glossary provides definitions and explanations of key terms related to voting methods, online voting platforms, and election processes. Whether you're a first-time user or an experienced election administrator, this resource will help you understand the terminology used in modern democratic systems.

A

Approval Voting

A voting method where voters can select ("approve of") any number of candidates. The candidate selected by the most voters wins.

Unlike traditional voting systems where a person can only vote for one candidate, approval voting allows voters to select as many candidates as they like, giving each selected candidate equal weight. This system is often used in situations where simplicity and expressiveness are both important.

Alternative Vote (AV)

Another name for Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), particularly used in the United Kingdom.

The Alternative Vote is a preferential voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate secures a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed according to voters' next preferences. This process continues until one candidate obtains a majority.

B

Ballot

A document (physical or electronic) used by voters to cast their vote in an election.

In online voting systems, a digital ballot replaces the traditional paper ballot. Digital ballots can be designed to prevent common errors like overvoting while providing accessibility features such as screen reader support or language translation options.

By-election

An election held between general elections to fill a vacancy, typically due to the resignation or death of the previous elected representative.

Online voting systems can be particularly efficient for by-elections, as they can be set up quickly and provide a convenient way for voters to participate without the full infrastructure typically required for general elections.

C

Candidate

An individual who seeks election to a public office or a position within an organization.

In online voting platforms, candidates typically have profile pages that can include their biographical information, platform statements, and sometimes photos or videos to help voters make informed decisions.

Constituency

A group of voters who elect a representative to a legislative body or other position.

In the context of online voting, constituencies can be clearly defined within the system, allowing for precise control over who is eligible to vote in specific elections. This is particularly useful for organizations with complex governance structures.

CAPTCHA

A security feature used to distinguish human users from automated bots, often used in online voting systems to prevent automated votes.

Modern CAPTCHA systems are designed to be accessible while maintaining security, with options such as audio challenges for visually impaired users. This helps ensure that online voting platforms remain both secure and accessible to all eligible voters.

D

Digital Signature

An electronic signature that can be used to authenticate the identity of the sender of a message or document.

In online voting, digital signatures help ensure that votes come from legitimate voters and have not been tampered with during transmission. This provides a layer of security comparable to the physical signatures used in traditional voting systems.

Droop Quota

A formula used in STV elections to determine how many votes a candidate needs to secure election.

The Droop quota is calculated as: (valid votes cast / (seats to be filled + 1)) + 1, rounded down to the nearest whole number. This formula ensures that no more candidates can meet the quota than there are seats to fill.

E

Electoral System

The set of rules that determine how votes are translated into seats or positions.

Different electoral systems can produce significantly different outcomes from the same set of votes. Online voting platforms like Choice Voting can be configured to support multiple electoral systems, allowing organizations to choose the most appropriate system for their needs.

End-to-End Verifiability

A property of some voting systems that allows voters to verify their votes were cast as intended and counted as cast.

In online voting systems, end-to-end verifiability typically involves providing voters with a receipt or code that they can use to verify their vote was recorded correctly, without compromising the secrecy of their ballot.

ERS97 STV

The Electoral Reform Society's 1997 rules for conducting Single Transferable Vote elections, widely used in the UK and internationally.

ERS97 STV is a specific implementation of the STV system that includes detailed rules for handling surpluses, ties, and other edge cases. It is particularly notable for its precision in handling surplus vote transfers using the weighted inclusive Gregory method.

F

First Past the Post (FPTP)

A voting system in which the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they secure a majority.

Also known as "winner takes all" or "simple plurality," FPTP is one of the simplest voting systems but can lead to outcomes where the winning candidate has only a small percentage of the total vote in elections with multiple candidates.

Free and Fair Elections

Elections that are conducted according to democratic principles, without interference, intimidation, or fraud.

Online voting systems can contribute to free and fair elections by implementing robust security measures, ensuring accessibility for all eligible voters, and providing transparent processes that can be audited if necessary.

G

Gregory Method

A method used in STV elections to redistribute surplus votes from elected candidates.

The Gregory Method involves transferring a proportional share of all ballots from an elected candidate to the next preferences, rather than selecting a random subset of ballots. This makes the count more precise and representative of voter preferences.

H

Hare Quota

An alternative formula to the Droop quota, calculated as (valid votes / seats).

The Hare quota is simpler than the Droop quota but may result in situations where more candidates meet the quota than there are seats available. It is sometimes used in more informal elections or where simplicity is valued over mathematical precision.

I

Instant Runoff Voting (IRV)

A preferential voting method where voters rank candidates in order of preference, used for electing a single position.

In IRV, if no candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to the next preferences on those ballots. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority.

Inclusive Gregory Method

An improved version of the Gregory Method that handles multiple vote transfers more effectively.

The Inclusive Gregory Method, used in the ERS97 rules, ensures that ballots that have been transferred at a fraction of their value maintain that fractional value in subsequent transfers. This prevents distortions that can occur in the original Gregory Method.

M

Multi-Member District

An electoral district or constituency that elects multiple representatives.

Multi-member districts are often used with proportional representation systems like STV, allowing for more proportional outcomes than single-member districts. In online voting, configuring multi-member districts is typically straightforward and can be adapted to various organizational structures.

Majority

More than half (50%) of the valid votes cast in an election.

In IRV and similar systems, candidates must achieve a majority to win, whereas in plurality systems like FPTP, only a plurality (most votes, but not necessarily a majority) is required.

N

Nominations

The process by which candidates are proposed and seconded for inclusion on the ballot.

In online voting systems, the nominations process can be digitized, allowing for online submission and verification of nomination forms, as well as management of supporting documentation and endorsements.

Non-Transferable Vote

A vote that cannot be transferred to another candidate, either because no further preferences were expressed or because all preferred candidates have been eliminated or elected.

In STV elections, non-transferable votes are important to track as they affect the calculation of the quota and the number of votes required for election in subsequent rounds.

O

Online Voting

A voting method that allows voters to cast their votes using the internet or a dedicated network.

Online voting systems offer greater accessibility and convenience compared to traditional in-person voting, potentially increasing participation rates. They can also reduce administrative costs and enable more frequent, responsive democratic decision-making.

One Person, One Vote

A democratic principle that each person should have equal voting power.

Online voting systems implement this principle by using secure authentication methods to ensure each eligible voter can cast exactly one vote, while preventing duplicate voting or fraudulent participation.

P

Preferential Voting

A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, rather than voting for only one candidate.

Preferential voting systems include IRV for single-winner elections and STV for multi-winner elections. Online voting platforms can make preferential voting more accessible by presenting clear interfaces for ranking candidates and explaining the process to voters.

Proportional Representation (PR)

Electoral systems designed to ensure that parties or groups receive representation proportional to their share of the votes.

STV is one form of proportional representation. Online voting systems can implement various forms of PR and clearly communicate to voters how their votes will translate into representation.

Position

A role or office that candidates seek to be elected to within an organization or government.

In online voting systems, positions can be configured with specific rules, term lengths, and candidate requirements. Multiple positions can be included in a single election, each with its own set of candidates and voting rules.

Plurality

The largest number of votes received in an election when there are three or more choices, not necessarily a majority.

In plurality voting systems like FPTP, the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they received less than 50% of the total votes. This can lead to candidates winning with relatively small portions of the vote when there are many candidates.

Q

Quota

The minimum number of votes required to secure election under some electoral systems, particularly STV.

Different quotas (such as the Droop or Hare quotas) can be used in STV elections, affecting how many votes a candidate needs to be elected. Online voting systems can be configured to use the most appropriate quota for a particular election.

Quorum

The minimum number of participants required for an election or decision to be valid.

Online voting systems can track participation rates in real-time and notify administrators when quorum requirements have been met, or send reminders to eligible voters if quorum is at risk of not being achieved.

R

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)

Another name for preferential voting systems such as IRV and STV, particularly used in the United States.

RCV allows voters to express more nuanced preferences than simple plurality voting. Online voting platforms can guide voters through the ranking process with intuitive interfaces and clear instructions.

Recount

A repeated count of votes, typically performed to verify the accuracy of an initial count.

One advantage of online voting systems is that recounts can be performed instantly and with perfect accuracy, as digital votes are counted algorithmically rather than manually.

Resolution

A formal decision, statement, or motion adopted by a vote of an assembly or organization.

In online voting contexts, resolutions are often the subject of votes separate from candidate elections. They might include changes to organizational policies, statements of position, or other formal decisions requiring member approval.

S

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

A proportional representation voting system designed to minimize wasted votes, used in multi-member constituencies.

STV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. After candidates reach the quota and are elected, their surplus votes are transferred to other candidates based on the next preferences. This continues until all seats are filled or no further transfers are possible.

Scottish STV

A variant of STV used in Scottish local government elections, which uses the weighted inclusive Gregory method for transfers.

Scottish STV is notable for its precise handling of surplus transfers and has been implemented successfully in local government elections since 2007. The system aims to balance proportionality with local representation.

Surplus Votes

In STV elections, votes received by a candidate above the quota required for election.

When a candidate is elected with more votes than needed, their surplus votes are transferred to other candidates according to the next preferences indicated. This ensures that votes aren't "wasted" on already-elected candidates.

T

Transferable Vote

A vote that can be moved from one candidate to another based on the voter's indicated preferences.

In preferential voting systems like STV and IRV, transferable votes allow voters to influence the outcome even if their first choice candidate is eliminated or has already been elected with a surplus.

Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast votes in an election.

Online voting typically aims to increase turnout by making voting more convenient. Systems often include features to track turnout in real-time and send reminders to boost participation.

U

User Authentication

The process of verifying the identity of voters in an online voting system.

Authentication methods in online voting may include passwords, PIN codes, multi-factor authentication, or integration with existing organizational identity systems to ensure that only eligible voters can participate.

V

Voter

An individual who is eligible to cast a vote in an election.

In online voting systems, voters are typically registered in advance, with specific credentials to verify their identity and eligibility for particular elections. Systems may support different classes of voters with varying permissions.

Vote Counting

The process of tabulating votes to determine the outcome of an election.

In digital voting systems, vote counting is automated, reducing the risk of human error and providing instant results. Complex counting methods like STV, which would be time-consuming to count manually, can be executed in seconds.

W

Weighted Voting

A system where some voters have more influence than others, typically by assigning different voting weights.

Weighted voting is sometimes used in shareholder meetings, condominium associations, or organizations where members have different levels of stake. Online voting systems can be configured to assign different weights to different voters' ballots.

Weighted Inclusive Gregory Method

An improved method for transferring surplus votes in STV elections that handles multiple transfers more precisely.

This method ensures that when a ballot has already been transferred at a fraction of its value, subsequent transfers maintain that fractional value rather than creating new fractions of the already-reduced value. This prevents the distortion of voter preferences across multiple transfers.