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PUBLICATIONS

Ballot Definition Common Data Format Specification

Published

Author(s)

Benjamin Long, John Dziurłaj

Abstract

This publication describes a ballot definition common data format for the interchange of logical and physical ballot style information. It contains a UML (Unified Modeling Language) model of the election data and a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format derived from the UML model. It contains background information regarding how geopolitical geography is structured and used in the model and schemas. It also provides usage examples for anticipated use-cases. The format is comprehensive and at the same time very flexible, able to accommodate election scenarios used throughout the U.S. It is part of a series of common data format specifications for voting equipment.
Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 1500-20
Report Number
1500-20
NIST Pub Series
Special Publication (NIST SP)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1500-20
Local Download

Keywords

Common data format (CDF), ballot definition (BD), ballot style, JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), unified markup language (UML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML).
Voting systems and Information technology

Citation

Long, B. and Dziurłaj, J. (2023), Ballot Definition Common Data Format Specification, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1500-20, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=936145 (Accessed October 27, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created January 24, 2023
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