R 168.771 Definitions.

Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules: (a) “Absent voter counting board” means an absent voter counting board as described in section 765a of the act, MCL 168.765a. (b) “Accessible voting device” means a voting device that is accessible for an individual with disabilities as described in section 795(1)(n) of the act, MCL 168.795. (c) “Accuracy test” means a test conducted to determine that the program and the computer being used to tabulate the results of the election count the votes in the manner prescribed by the act. (d) “Act” means the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to 168.992. (e) “Ballot” means an approved paper form or a medium through which votes are recorded that is produced as a paper form. (f) “Ballot container” means a ballot box, transfer case, or other container used to secure ballots, including optical scan ballots, electronic voting systems, and data during security retention, that is approved by the secretary of state and meets all of the following requirements: (i) It is made of metal, plastic, fiberglass, or other material that provides resistance to tampering. (ii) It is capable of being sealed with an approved seal. (iii) It complies with other requirements described in section 24j of the act, MCL 168.24j. (g) “Board of election inspectors” means a board of at least 3 inspectors of election as specified in section 672 of the act, MCL 168.672. At least 1 member of the board shall represent each of the 2 major political parties, and these members shall perform approval functions described in the act. (h) “Commission” means the commission responsible for the election unless otherwise specified. (i) “Crossover votes” means votes cast for more than 1 party in an open primary. (j) “Duplicate ballot” means a ballot on which the word “DUPLICATE” or “DUP” and a number corresponding to the original ballot is printed, stamped, or written that is used to transfer a voter’s valid selections from the original ballot. (k) “Election equipment” means equipment used in administering elections, including, but not limited to, a voting machine, voting device, or voting system. (l) “Election management system” means a system that has been approved by the board of state canvassers to produce a program and produce results. (m) “Election materials” mean materials used in administering elections, including, but not limited to, ballots, physical pollbooks, and other materials described in section 811 of the act, MCL 168.811. Election materials do not include ballot stubs. (n) “Electronic pollbook” means computer software that receives information from the qualified voter file and is used during elections to process voters and generate reports. (o) “Overvote” means a combination of votes, including write-in votes, which exceeds the number for which the elector is entitled to vote. (p) “Physical pollbook” means a paper pollbook in which the election inspectors in a precinct or early voting site shall enter, in the order in which electors are given ballots, the name of each elector who is given a ballot. (q) “Program” means the operating instructions for a voting system by which it examines, counts, tabulates, and produces the results of the votes cast on a ballot. (r) “Qualified voter file” means the official file of voters for the conduct of all elections held in this state as described in section 509o of the act, MCL 168.509o. (s) “Receiving board” means a board consisting of not less than 2 members of differing political party preference that reviews the election materials received from the precinct election inspectors to ensure the election materials are secured and documented properly and the precinct is in balance. (t) “Sample ballot ” means a ballot of a distinctive color used to instruct voters on the use of the voting device. The ballot must have the words “SAMPLE BALLOT” printed or stamped on it. (u) “Spoiled ballot” means a ballot that has been issued to a voter that cannot be tabulated and for which a new ballot has been issued. (v) “Status report” means a report generated from each tabulator or other election equipment at the close of each day of early voting. (w) “Tabulator” means automatic tabulating equipment that scans and accumulates results. (x) “Totals tape” or “results report” or “summary totals tape” means a report generated from each tabulator or other election equipment after the close of polls on election day. (y) “Voting station” or “voting booth” means a unit containing an accessible voting device or a surface that allows the voter to mark the ballot that provides privacy and blocks an individual’s view on not less than 3 sides. (z) “Voting system” means 1 or more pieces of automatic tabulating equipment that examines, tabulates, and counts votes recorded on ballots and produces results, as specified in sections 37 and 794a of the act, MCL 168.37 and 168.794a. (aa) “Zero tape” or “zero report” or “summary zero report” means a report generated from a tabulator or other election equipment that shows that no results have been accumulated before the tabulation of ballots. (2) Unless otherwise defined in these rules, a term defined in the act has the same meaning when used in these rules.