EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Richard Smolka
Organization : | N/A
Post Date : | 9/27/2005
Glossary Comments
Glossary Term : | Residual Vote
Definition : |
Comment : | Definition of "residual vote" is very misleading. The term does not refer to votes "not counted." The vast number of what sometimes have been termed "residual votes" are blanks and _have been counted accurately_ as a zero. In operation the term refers to a phenomenon that for many years used to be called "drop off," or "roll off." All terms refer to the numerical difference between the total turnout and the number of valid votes cast for an office or on an issue. Use of the suggested definition for "residual vote" seems to indicate there are actually votes left in a ballot box or "residing somewhere" that should be counted. Many voters choose to ignore one or more races on a ballot. A small percentage refuse to vote for the choices presented for the highest offices. It is ridiculous to consider votes "not counted" for races lower on the ballot when fewer than half of those who get a ballot choose not to vote for certain offices, for example judicial retention or precinct committeeman.