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This publication describes an election results common data format specification for pre-election setup information and post-election results reporting. It contains a UML model of the election data and an XML format derived from the UML model. It also contains background information regarding how geopolitical geography is structured and used in the model and schema. The XML 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 planned common data format specifications for voting equipment. KeywordsBallot; common data format; contest; district; election results; jurisdiction; overvote; political office; political party; precinct; referendum; undervote, voting. In addition to the above acknowledgments, the authors also gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Mary Brady, James Foti, and Joshua Franklin, for their exceptional contributions in helping to improve the content of the publication. And finally, the authors also gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the significant contributions from individuals and organizations in the public and private sectors, whose thoughtful and constructive comments improved the overall quality, thoroughness, and usefulness of this publication. Executive SummaryThis publication is a specification for a common data format (CDF) for pre-election setup information and post-election results reporting. The format, known as the Election Results Common Data Format Specification, is comprehensive and detailed in its coverage of election results-related data and at the same time very flexible, able to accommodate election scenarios used throughout the United States. This publication contains a UML (Unified Modeling Language) model, a derived XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema, usage information and guidance, and background information.This specification provides a common data interchange format for election data used in voting systems across U.S. jurisdictions. Using this specification, pre-election and post-election data can be published in a common, well-understood format. The format accommodates highly detailed election results data and is sufficiently flexible to accommodate many different types of contests and political structures.This specification provides manufacturers of election management systems (EMS) and managers of election jurisdictions with standard methods for importing and exporting election data, thereby increasing interoperability among election devices and reducing the need to create software to translate between proprietary formats. Interoperable data will reduce costs to election jurisdictions by reducing the complexity in election management and offering jurisdictions more choice in election equipment.This specification is geared towards the following audiences:• Election officials, • Voting equipment manufacturers, • Election-affiliated organizations, and • Election analysts and the general public.The format a...

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