Changes to the CDF documentation are listed here. ## Nov 12, 2026 - Fixed `RulesRegistry.get_all_exceptions()` in the validator library to return the recorded exceptions instead of `None`. - Updated the validator command line to exit with code 4 when it finds fatal messages, instead of 0. - Updated the `Schema` validator rule to report schema validation failures as fatal instead of errors. - Updated `MissingPartyAbbreviationTranslation` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only election and election dates feeds. - Updated `MissingPartyNameTranslation` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only election and election dates feeds. - Updated `DateOfBirthIsInPast` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only officeholder feeds. - Updated `GpUnitsHaveSingleRoot` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only election and election dates feeds. - Fixed `ElectionDatesSpanContestDates` validator rule to report every Contest with dates outside of its Election, instead of only the last one. - Fixed the error message of the `ComposingContestIdsAreValidRelatedContests` validator rule when a composing contest can't be found. - Fixed `SubsequentContestIdIsValidRelatedContest` validator rule crashing when neither a contest nor its election has an end date, and reusing a previous contest's end date for an election without one. ## Nov 11, 2026 - Updated `CoalitionParties` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only election and election dates feeds. - Updated `DuplicatedPartyAbbreviation` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only election and election dates feeds. - Updated `DuplicatedPartyName` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only election and election dates feeds. ## Nov 10, 2026 - Updated `MultipleInternationalizedTextWithSameLanguageCode` validator rule to apply to all feed types except metadata feeds, instead of only election and election dates feeds. ## Nov 2, 2026 - Added `disqualified` and `sub-judice` to [`CandidatePreElectionStatus`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate-preelection-status.md.txt). - Added `defeated`, `did-not-participate`, `disqualified`, `projected-advanced-to-runoff`, and `sub-judice` to [`CandidatePostElectionStatus`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate-postelection-status.md.txt). - Deprecated `withdrawn` in [`CandidatePostElectionStatus`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate-postelection-status.md.txt). - Updated [`Candidate`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate.md.txt) to clarify that `PreElectionStatus` and `PostElectionStatus` are the candidate's overall final status across related contests, and that per-contest statuses belong on `CandidateSelection`. - Updated [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt) to clarify the granularity of `SubUnitsReported` and `TotalSubUnits`. - Added `InheritFromComposedContest` to `ResultsReportingStageCollection` in [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt). - Added `ValidateResultReportingStages` validator rule to ensure that `ResultsReportingStageCollection` contains no `ResultsReportingStage` elements and that its `Contest` is listed in the `ComposingContestIds` of another `Contest` when `InheritFromComposedContest` is `true`, that it contains at least one `ResultsReportingStage` otherwise, and to warn if it doesn't contain at least two `ResultsReportingStage` elements (one of type `no-results` and at least one of type `preliminary` or `official`). - Added `InheritFromComposedContest` to `ResultsReportingStageCollection` in [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt). - Added `ValidateResultReportingStages` validator rule to ensure that `ResultsReportingStageCollection` contains no `ResultsReportingStage` elements when `InheritFromComposedContest` is `true` and at least one otherwise, and to warn if it doesn't contain at least two `ResultsReportingStage` elements (one of type `no-results` and at least one of type `preliminary` or `official`). - Updated `CandidatesReferencedInRelatedContests` validator rule and [Candidate reference documentation](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate.md.txt) to once again treat subsequent contests as related contests, so a `Person` must be referenced by the same `Candidate` across subsequent contests. ## Oct 28, 2026 - Updated [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt) to remove composing contest inheritance from `EarliestPollsClose`, `LatestPollsClose`, `ResultsEmbargoEnd`, and `ResultsExpected`. ## Oct 23, 2026 - Updated `GpUnitOcdId` validator rule to check `ReportingUnit` elements. ## Oct 22, 2026 - Added `OutcomeDetermined` to [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt). ## Oct 21, 2026 - Updated [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt) to clarify that `ResultsReportingStageCollection` should contain the full set of expected stages with their attribution rather than only the current stage, which goes in `CurrentResultsReportingStage`. ## Oct 16, 2026 - Added `ContestDateType` to [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt). - Added `NoResultsProvided` to [`ResultsReportingStage`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/results-reporting-stage.md.txt). ## Oct 15, 2026 - Added `Alias` to [`Person`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/person.md.txt). ## Oct 13, 2026 - Added `PreElectionStatus` and `PostElectionStatus` to [`CandidateSelection`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/ballot-selection.md.txt#candidate-selection). - Added `diplomat` to [`OfficeRole`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/office-role.md.txt). - Added `DiplomatSendingStateId` and `DiplomatReceivingStateId` to [`Office`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/office.md.txt). - Updated `ValidIDREF` validator rule to recognize `DiplomatSendingStateId` and `DiplomatReceivingStateId` as referencing `GpUnit` elements - Added `DiplomaticOfficesHaveCorrespondingGpUnitsSet` validator rule to ensure offices with role `diplomat` have at least one of those fields set. ## Oct 12, 2026 - Added `EstimatedExpectedVotePercentage` to `Contest`. ## Oct 8, 2026 - Removed `ContestStage` in favor of [`ResultsReportingStage`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/results-reporting-stage.md.txt) and [`ResultsReportingStageType`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/results-reporting-stage-type.md.txt). - Updated `EmptyString` validator rule to not raise an error on elements with child elements when no whitespace precedes the first child element. ## Oct 6, 2026 - Added `ResultsLastUpdated` to `Contest`. ## Sep 24, 2026 - Added `CandidateImageInContactInformation` validator rule to warn when `candidate-image` is set in `ContactInformation.Uri` and recommend using `Person.ImageUri` instead. ## Sep 14, 2026 - Updated `CandidatesReferencedInRelatedContests` validator rule and [Candidate reference documentation](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate.md.txt) to no longer treat subsequent contests as related contests. ## Sep 2, 2026 - Added `SqsQueueNameIsFullyQualifiedArn` validator rule to ensure that if `SqsQueueName` is set in a metadata feed, it is a valid fully qualified SQS ARN. ## Aug 28, 2026 - Added `TotalSeats` to `Contest`. - Updated `VoteCountValidSeatsDeltaTypes` rule to error on legacy `seats-delta` in `SpecialBallotSelection` elements and also to support `seats-delta-institutional` without needing to set `seats-delta-mandate`. ## Aug 27, 2026 - Deprecated legacy JSON feed formats and removed all JSON schema examples across developer guides and reference documentation in favor of CDF XML. ## Aug 26, 2026 - Updated examples of stable IDs and object IDs across reference documentation to use Hungarian notation with hyphens. - Updated the [Stable identifiers guide](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/stable-identifiers.md.txt) to list prefix recommendations across entity types. ## Aug 25, 2026 - Removed `HungarianStyleNotation` rule. - Updated the [Stable identifiers guide](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/stable-identifiers.md.txt) to clarify that Hungarian notation is a best practice but not required, and added prefix examples. ## Aug 24, 2026 - Updated the [International considerations guide](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/international-considerations.md.txt) to clarify requirements for English translations of candidate and party names from official sources, reputable press, or partner publications. ## Aug 22, 2026 - Updated [FeedLongevity](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/feed-longevity.md.txt) and [Feed types](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/feed-types) with guidance on when entities can be removed from evergreen feeds. ## Aug 5, 2026 - Updated schema for `CountedInTotal` to allow for `minOccurs=0` in accordance with the [documentation](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/ballot-selection.md.txt). ## Jul 29, 2026 - Updated `FeedInactiveDateIsLatestDate` to skip checking test feeds. - Added new `DuplicateBallotTitleSeatPair` rule to check for duplicate (BallotTitle, Seat) pairs in Contests. - Added new `FeedInactiveDateNotOlderThanOneYear` rule. ## Jul 17, 2026 - Check that all Uri elements have a valid language code (when specified). ## Jul 9, 2026 - Removed deprecated `GovernmentBodyExternalId` rule. ## Jun 16, 2026 - Updated legacy government body schema to an error. ## Jun 16, 2026 - Added the `Named Entity Changes` guide. ## Jun 2, 2026 - Added `tse-candidate-number` as an external identifier to `Candidate`. ## May 19, 2026 - Added `ResultsReportingStagesMustHaveUniqueType` validator rule to ensure that each `ResultsReportingStage` in a `ResultsReportingStageCollection` has a unique `StageType`. ## May 18, 2026 - Added `SqsQueueNameRequiresS3SourceDirPath` validator rule to ensure that if `SqsQueueName` is set in a metadata feed, `SourceDirPath` must also be set and must be an s3 path. ## May 7, 2026 - Added `AttributionDepthLimit` rule to ensure `` trees under `` have at most 3 levels of recursion/depth. - Added `AttributionCyclesValidation` rule to ensure `` elements don't contain directed cycles (loops) between nodes. ## May 6, 2026 - Added `ValidateIncludeInAggregationBallotSelections` rule to check that the sum of vote counts for selections marked as `IncludedInAggregation` does not exceed the `AggregateBallotSelection` vote count. - Added rule to enforce `CountedInTotal` constraints on `SpecialBallotSelection`s. - Added `ValidateResultsEmbargoEnd` rule to check that `ResultsEmbargoEnd` is not after the start of the `official` `ResultsReportingStage`. - Added `ValidateResultsExpected` rule to check that `ResultsExpected` is not before the first `ResultsReportingStage` (excluding the `no-results` stage). - Added `NotEmptyUniqueDataSourceUris`, `UniqueDataSourceLanguages`, and `UniqueDataSourceDisplayNames` rules to verify `DataSourceCollection` elements. Also, added `DisplayName` to the `MultipleInternationalizedTextWithSameLanguageCode`. ## May 5, 2026 - Added `ValidatePollsCloseDatetimes` rule to check that `LatestPollsClose` is not before `EarliestPollsClose`. - Deleted `PartiesHaveValidColors` rule. These values are also validated by the schema for `HtmlColorString`. - Updated `ValidateDuplicateColors` rule to support `DarkThemeColor` and `LightThemeColor`. ## April 30, 2026 - Added `WinnerCountLimit` validator rule to check that the number of winners or projected winners in a contest does not exceed the number of elected seats. - Removed support for `candidate-image` annotation in `ContactInformation`. - Add rules to restrict `ImageUri` with annotation `candidate-image` to at most one per `Person` and also to ensure candidate image URIs are unique across persons. ## April 29, 2026 - Added `EmptyString` and `EmptyText` rules to `METADATA_RULES`. ## April 16, 2026 - Added more examples to `metadata_sample_feed.xml`. - Fixed multiple sample feed files to ensure they pass validation. ## April 14, 2026 - Updated `yearly` feed longevity to only be allowed for `pre-election` feeds. Feeds of type `election-results` must always be `limited`. ## March 25, 2026 - Updating Metadata sample feed `SourceDirPath` value to match regular expression expectation. ## March 19, 2026 - Added `IsTest` and `SqsQueueName` to `Feed`. ## March 18, 2026 - Added `SpecialBallotSelection` subtype of `BallotSelection`. - Added `AggregateBallotSelection`, `BlankBallotSelection`, `NoneOfTheAboveBallotSelection`, and `NullBallotSelection` to `Contest`. - Added `IncludedInAggregation` to `CandidateSelection` and `PartySelection`. - Added `Attribution` and `DataSource` element definitions and `DataSourceCollection` to `ElectionReport`. - Added `ResultsReportingStage` and `ResultsReportingStageType` definitions and `ResultsReportingStageCollection` and `CurrentResultsReportingStage` to `Contest`. - Added `PartyColors` definition and `Colors` to `Party`. ## March 17, 2026 - Added `IsNotable` to `Candidate`, `Contest`, and `Party`. - Added `PartyLabel` to `Candidate`. - Added `ImageUri` to `Person`. - Added `ResultsExpected`, `ResultsEmbargoEnd`, `EarliestPollsClose`, and `LatestPollsClose` to `Contest`. ## March 11, 2026 - Removed special handling of `IssuerAbbreviation` from `EmptyString` rule. ## February 26, 2026 - Restricted `VoteCountsCollection` to one per `BallotSelection`. (This still allows for multiple `VoteCounts` within that collection.) ## February 24, 2026 - Fixed references to `OfficeholderSubFeed` that were were incorrectly written as `OfficeHolderSubFeed`. - Restricted `SourceDirPath` in the metadata feed to supported filepath types. ## February 23, 2026 - Updated `VoteCounts` enumerations to support both `seats-delta-mandate` and `seats-delta-institutional`. ## February 18, 2026 - Made `ElectionEventCollection` and `OfficeholderSubFeed` mutually exclusive in the `Feed` element in metadata feeds. ## February 12, 2026 - Added guidance to [Simple data types](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/simple-data-types) for `PartialDate` being interpreted as the latest possible date in the range. ## February 11, 2026 - Added `OfficeHolderTenure` to `MissingStableIds` CDF Validator rule to ensure all officeholder tenures have stable IDs. ## January 28, 2026 - Added `FeedElementsShouldHaveSubElementsBasedOnType` CDF Validator rule to ensure `Feed` entries in the Metadata Feed have appropriate sub-elements. ## January 15, 2026 - Delete `ElectoralDistrictOcdId` rule now that it is fully replaced by the broader `GpUnitOcdId` rule. - Added `mayor` as an Executive Office Role in the CDF Validator. ## January 13, 2026 - Added `EmptyString` validator rule to check that string fields are not empty or only contain whitespace (temporarily a warning for `IssuerAbbreviation`). ## December 10, 2025 - Updated the CDF XSD to make `IssuerAbbreviation` optional. ## November 18, 2025 - Updated `GpUnitOcdId` rule to check all `GpUnit`s expected to have OCD IDs have valid OCD IDs, and replaced `ElectoralDistrictOcdId` rule with a placeholder until safe to remove. ## November 12, 2025 - Added guidance to [Simple data types](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/simple-data-types) highlighting the need to use the Gregorian calendar for dates. ## October 22, 2025 - Updated documentation for new [`Office`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/office.md.txt) format including the new [`OfficeHolderTenure`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/officeholder-tenure.md.txt) element. ## September 29, 2025 - Updated guidelines for `ElectoralCommission` [Names](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/electoral-commission.md.txt) including example XML. ## August 5, 2025 - Update `Feed` documentation and Validator support for `FeedType` of `voter-information`. ## July 23, 2025 - Add additional values to `VoterInformationWebsiteType`. ## July 11, 2025 - Added `RetentionContest` to the available `Contest` [types](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt#types). ## July 7, 2025 - Updated Metadata `Feed` documentation and validator to clarify canceled election events don't need to be considered when determining a Feed inactive date. ## June 25, 2025 - Added `whatsapp` as a platform for `AnnotatedUri`. ## June 16, 2025 - Updated Voter Information documentation for `VoterInformationWebsite` and `ElectoralCommissionWebsite` to reflect definitions in the CDF schema. ## May 29, 2025 - Replaced `NoSourceDirPathBeforeInitialDeliveryDate` validator rule with `SourceDirPathMustBeSetAfterInitialDeliveryDate`. ## May 27, 2025 - Added Validator support and basic checks for Voter information feeds. ## May 22, 2025 - Published a [guide](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/term-dates.md.txt) to aid in determining officeholder term dates. ## May 13, 2025 - Updated the [feed types guide](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/feed-types.md.txt) to include Voter information feeds. ## May 7, 2025 - Added elements to support Voter information including [`VoterInformation`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/voter-information.md.txt), [`VoterInformationWebsite`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/voter-information-website.md.txt), [`VoterInformationWebsiteType`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/voter-information-website-type.md.txt), [`ElectoralCommission`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/electoral-commission.md.txt), and [`InternationalizedUri`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/internationalized-uri.md.txt). - Refactored information about [`LanguageString`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/international-considerations.md.txt#language-string) into the [International considerations guide](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/international-considerations). ## May 6, 2025 - Update `PersonHasOffice` rule to check new `OfficeHolderTenure` schema. ## April 18, 2025 - Added clarification that `FullName` elements of [People](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/person.md.txt#elements) shouldn't contain the person's title. ## April 10, 2025 - Added new schema for office / officeholder tenure split. ## March 12, 2025 - Added `judge`, `cabinet member`, `general purpose officer`, and `special purpose officer` to office roles and added logic in validator to allow two combinations of roles: `head of government` \& `head of state` and `cabinet member` \& `general purpose officer`. ## March 4, 2025 - Updated [`ElectionDateType`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/election-date-type.md.txt) with details on how `StartDate` and `EndDate` will be interpreted for `bounded` elections. ## February 26, 2025 - Updated Metadata [feed](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/feed.md.txt) to add note about waiting 60 days after `FeedInactiveDate` to remove a feed from metadata feed. ## January 29, 2025 - Created new Title syntax [guide](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/title-syntax.md.txt) to standardise [election](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/election.md.txt) and [contest](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt) titles. ## January 27, 2025 - Updated [Contest](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt) guidelines to add `PassageThreshold` definition to `BallotMeasureContest` ## January 15, 2025 - Updated guidelines for the `FeedInactiveDate` property of the metadata [Feed](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/feed.md.txt) entity. ## November 19, 2024 - Added documentation for [GovernmentBody](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/government-body.md.txt) ## November 11, 2024 - Added [documentation](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/filename-file-formatting.md.txt) requiring feed filenames to remain static ## November 1, 2024 - Update `EmptyText` validator rule to raise an error instead of a warning. ## August 26, 2024 - Update the [OfficeLevel](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/office-level.md.txt) enum to add detailed descriptions. ## July 17, 2024 - Added documentation for new [PartyLeadership](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/party-leadership.md.txt) entities and associated [PartyLeadershipType](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/party-leadership-type.md.txt) enum. ## July 10, 2024 - Adding recommendations for the 'FeedInactiveDate' and `SourceDirPath` ## June 24, 2024 - Update `PartyId` to allow for multiple `PartyId`s for [Candidate](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate.md.txt) and [Person](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/person.md.txt) entities. ## June 21, 2024 - Update the documentation for [OfficeHolderSubFeed](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/officeholder-sub-feed.md.txt) entity to share a detailed example. ## May 14, 2024 - Clean the `PartyContest` entity to only include the relevant elements [PartyContest](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/*%20contest#party-contest). - Added updated definitions for [ElectionDateStatus](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/date-status.md.txt) enum values, particularly, `tentative` and `changing`. ## May 1, 2024 - Clarified the definition for the `IsIndependent` element for [Party](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/party.md.txt). ## April 29, 2024 - Update [FeedType](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/feed-type.md.txt) enum and [FeedLongevity](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/feed-longevity.md.txt) enum to use lower case values in their respective reference pages. ## April 17, 2024 - Added an `IsIndependent` element to the reference page for [Party](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/party.md.txt). ## February 12, 2024 - Added documentation throughout the site for the new [Metadata](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/data-schema.md.txt?feed=metadata) feed. ## January 9, 2024 - Add support for `Tiktok` accounts as an [AnnotatedUri](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/uri-annotation.md.txt) ## January 3, 2024 - Updating [Internal Considerations](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/translations) with a bit more nuance about how and when to translate or transliterate data. ## July 24, 2023 - Added `Committee` type for Political Committees and a corresponding [feed type](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/data-schema?feed=committee#feed) ## January 20, 2023 - Added a `Slogan` element to the reference page for [Party](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/party.md.txt). - Added a `CampaignSlogan` element to the reference page for [Candidate](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate.md.txt). ## November 17, 2022 - Added guide for [Process to update OCD IDs](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/guides/process-to-update-ocd-ids.md.txt) ## December 30, 2021 - Added a `PartialDate` section to the [Simple Data Types](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/simple-data-types) page, as well as updating some of the table fields. ## December 27, 2021 - Modified content within the `CandidateContest` section of the [Contest](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest.md.txt) page to support only one office per contest, as well as updating some of the XML examples. ## October 15, 2021 - Added ExternalIdentifier section to the reference page for [Candidate](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/candidate.md.txt). ## August 20, 2021 - Created an [`OfficeSelectionMethod`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/office-selection-method.md.txt) page, added the `SelectionMethod` element to the `Office.` [Elements](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/office.md.txt?feed=officeholder#elements) table, and updated codel [examples](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/office.md.txt?feed=officeholder#examples). ## February 26, 2021 - Added an example to the [Term](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/term.md.txt?feed=officeholder#feed) reference page on how to represent the tenure of reelected officeholders in an Officeholder feed. ## February 24, 2021 - Added information about `party-chair-id` to the [Party](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/party.md.txt#additional-types-external-identifiers) reference material. ## February 18, 2021 - Added a diagram to the `CandidatePreElectionStatus` reference material that illustrates the timing of statuses. ## December 14, 2020 - Added Guides pages that describe the available feed types. Updated the Reference pages to provide best practices to follow for most entities.