Vote Types - 2026 Model

Notes
The 2026 vote type model will be used for all election events taking place on and after Aug. 4, 2026. Before that date, you can use the 2026 vote type model for testing. All election events taking place prior to Aug. 4, 2026 use the classic vote type model. For information about requesting vote type data, see Getting Vote Types.

The availability of specific vote types varies by state; for example, in-person early voting is not available in all states. In addition, each vote type may or may not be available depending on the reporting unit and data source. AP distinguishes between the following vote types ("Total of Vote By Type Ballots" is not a vote type).

Vote Type	Description
electionDayInPerson	(Also "poll votes," "polling place votes" or "vote center votes") Votes cast in person at a polling place or vote center on Election Day (may also include provisional votes after election night).
provisional	(Also "Affidavits," "special ballots" in D.C. and "questioned ballots" in Alaska) Type of ballot used when there are questions about the voter's identity or eligibility to vote. Votes cast by provisional ballot are counted when the voter's identity or eligibility is confirmed. Provisional votes may be merged within another vote type.
advanceTotal	Advance vote total (votes cast prior to Election Day), which may be one of the following: The sum of the advanceInPerson and absenteeMail vote types Populated when a further breakdown is not available.
advanceInPerson	(Also "in-person early votes") Votes cast in person—not by mail—prior to Election Day, which may include: Votes cast in person on the voting equipment before Election Day Paper ballots cast in person Merged provisional ballots
absenteeMail	Absentee mail ballot votes, which may include: Ballots deposited in drop boxes Overseas and military ballots Merged provisional ballots Paper ballots cast in person