NIST Election Results Common Data Format Specification - Version 1.0

NIST SP 1500-100 Election Results Reporting Common Data Format Specification Version 1 

This publication is a specification for a common data format (CDF) for pre-election setup information and election night and post-election results reporting. The format 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, an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema, usage information and guidance, and background information. 

Version 2 of the specification is under development and expected to be complete by Fall, 2017.  Changes include use of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation).

The NIST SP 1500-100 specification, UML model, XML schema, and other files are available at:

• https://github.com/usnistgov/ElectionResultsReporting
• https://pages.nist.gov/ElectionResultsReporting

Google has also created an informative documentation site for the specification, at:

• https://developers.google.com/elections-data/reference/

For more information, see the Interoperability Public Working Group twiki at:

• http://collaborate.nist.gov/voting/bin/view/Voting/Interoperability
   

Note: a prior version of the specification is being used by the state of Ohio to report its election results for the 2016 elections. The XML schema and associated documentation for that version are as follows:

• XML schema
• Schema documentation