The Aligned Data File structure matches that of the raw data except for the variables associated with the candidates. Because candidates can be associated with any chad on a votomatic ballot, so long as the specified candidate order is maintained, analyzing the raw data at the candidate level would require very precise, tedious recoding. (See NORCLAY.XLSfor information concerning the meaning of individual codes found in the data.) Indeed, in the raw data, there are separate variables for the candidates for the three different coding systems (Votomatic, Datavote, and Optical Scan). All chad-level data (including chads that represent a particular candidate) are presented in the raw file. In the aligned file, only those data that apply to candidate chads are included. Data from three coding systems are contained in the same set of variables which begin with the candidates' last names (BUSH.., GORE.., etc.) and include a suffix for the appropriate coder (C1, C2, or C3).

The raw and aligned data files contain the same number of records and follow the same structure, with data for all three coders (all undervotes and overvotes in Nassau, Pasco, and Polk Counties) included in the same record. Overvote records (except for Nassau, Pasco, and Polk Counties) have data for the first coder and contain values of -8 for coders 2 and 3.

Note#1: There are 30 undervote ballots that did not have 3 codings and 11 overvote ballots that should have had 3 codings (Nassau, Pasco, or Polk counties) but did not. For the 30 undervotes and 6 of the 11 overvotes, the first two sets of codings are in the data, and the third set of codings has been assigned the reserve code -8 (to indicate no data for that coder). For the remaining 5 of the 11 overvote cases, the first set of codings is in the data, and the second and third are assigned reserve values of -8 (to indicate no data for that coder).

Note #2: Analysts should be aware of the presence of an unusual coder (Coder ID = 75683). In Baker County (FIPS = 3), one coder's work on 79 undervote ballots indicates misunderstanding of instructions, bias, or other problems. For documentary purposes and because of the relatively small number of ballots examined by this coder, the data were left in the database. Analysts are advised to conduct analyses without this coder's data.

Ballots from absentee precincts are indicated with a 1 in the variable ABSENTEE (0 otherwise).

Undervote and overvote ballots that have been contested are identified with a C (contested) in the variable PRECVERS (BLANK otherwise).