Resources

This paper uses geographic discontinuities at block boundaries to identify the causal effect of polling place assignment on voter turnout, finding that distance to and familiarity with a polling location matter for participation.

In this paper, authors use simulation-optimization to identify voting equipment allocation requirements across different polling location consolidation strategies, providing guidance for jurisdictions considering consolidation.

In this paper, authors compare electronic and paper ballot voting systems, examining how election laws directly impact operational efficiency and capacity, and what this means for polling place design and resource allocation.

In this paper, authors provide recommendations from disability voting rights advocates on how to improve the physical accessibility of polling locations and the usability of accessible voting equipment.

This paper examines whether minority and Democratic-leaning voters in Florida receive lower poll worker staffing. Using data from multiple elections, authors find evidence of partisan disparities in staffing levels, with Democratic-trending counties receiving worse service relative to Republican-trending counties. They apply operations management methods to document systemic resource allocation inequities in polling place operations.

This paper challenges the HAVA minimum of one ADA-compliant device per polling location as insufficient and recommends that local election officials determine the number of accessible devices based on the proportion of voters with disabilities in their jurisdiction.

In this PhD dissertation, Schmidt introduces optimization and simulation models to support the design and operation of resilient in-person election voting systems. Three core contributions: (1) a discrete-event simulation of pandemic-resilient polling-place design, with a case study of Milwaukee, WI; (2) the Polling Location Consolidation Problem (PLCP), an integer programming model applied to Richland County, SC; and (3) an optimization model for ballot drop box siting in Milwaukee.

In this PhD dissertation, Bernardo develops a simulation-based framework to examine how in-person election system conditions affect voter wait times and throughput. Three core contributions: (1) observational time studies of voting operations across multiple Rhode Island elections to calibrate arrival-rate and service-time parameters; (2) discrete-event simulation models of polling-place operations under varying equipment types, layouts, and resource levels; and (3) application of the models to COVID-19 social-distancing scenarios, precinct-consolidation decisions, and minimum requirements for accessible equipment.

Hostetter examines whether the use of electronic poll books affects voter wait times, finding mixed results that depend on context, including photo ID requirements and precinct demographics.

This paper employs discrete-event simulation to model Milwaukee's in-person voting system during COVID-19. It reveals that poll worker shortages, social distancing measures, and PPE requirements can lead to very long voter wait times. The evaluation considers various design strategies to reduce pandemic-related effects, such as adding check-in locations, expanding early voting, and preventing the consolidation of polling sites.

In this paper, authors analyze how transitioning to vote centers impacts voters' experiences, noting that inadequate implementation may result in longer waits and increased voter dissatisfaction.

This paper examines how changes in Election Day polling place locations affect voter turnout. The authors analyze voter behavior in three presidential elections in North Carolina (2008 - 2016), finding that these changes reduce Election Day voting on average, but that the reduction is offset by substitution into early voting.