5_Publish_and_Verify.md

Publish and Verify

Publish

Publishing the election artifacts helps ensure third parties can verify the election. Refer to the specification on the specific details. Below is a breakdown of the objects within the repository. These are files that should be published at the close of the election so others can verify the election.

Election Artifacts

manifest: Manifest                        # Manifest
constants: ElectionConstants              # Constants
context: CiphertextElectionContext        # Encryption context
devices: List[EncryptionDevice]           # Encryption devices
guardian_records: List[GuardianRecord]    # Record of public guardian information
submitted_ballots: List[SubmittedBallot]  # Encrypted submitted ballots
challenge_ballots: List[PlaintextTally]   # Decrypted challenge ballots
ciphertext_tally: CiphertextTally         # Encrypted tally
plaintext_tally: PlaintextTally           # Decrypted tally

These classes have been defined as dataclass to ensure that asdict can be used. This ensures ease of serialization to dictionaries within python, but allows customization for those wishing to use custom serialization. electionguard_tools includes export.py which can be used as an example.

Verify

The election artifacts provide a means to begin validation. Start with deserializing the election artifacts to their original classes.