Resources

Use our resource library to explore the latest research in the field of election science.

156 Resources

MIT Election Data + Science Lab2016
Voter Trust Reports

This post-election survey reports on how Americans cast ballots in 2016 and how confident they were that votes were counted accurately.

U.S. Government Accountability Office2016
Voter Registration Reports

In 2016, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) provided a report to congress in which they provide a literature review and outline election officials regarding issues with registering voters and administering elections. Through this study, the GAO found that the benefits of collecting and sharing voter registration information electronically included improved accuracy and cost savings; while challenges included upfront investments and ongoing maintenance, among other things.

Whitney Quesenbery, Lynn Baumeister, Caitlin Rinn, Dana Chisnell, Shaneé Dawkins, Sharon LaskowskiCenter for Civic Design2016
In-Person Voting Reports

This three-part report explores the usability of electronic poll books for poll workers and voters. It includes (1) a landscape analysis of e-pollbook usability within polling locations, (2) a usability test plan that election officials and vendors can implement, and (3) a checklist of usability and accessibility features for procurement and assessment.

Virginia Department of Elections2015
Voting by Mail Reports

In 2014, the Virginia General Assembly established a working group to provide instructions, procedures, services, a security assessment, and security measures for the secure return by electronic means of voted absentee military- overseas ballots from uniformed-service voters outside of the United States. This report details the finding and work of the working group's first convening in 2015.

Charles Stewart IIICaltech-MIT Voting Technology Project2015
In-Person Voting Reports

This report provides guidance for local election officials on how to collect and use data to manage polling place resources more effectively, including diagnosing congestion and allocating voting machines and poll workers.

Lisa Schur, Douglas KruseRutgers University2010
Usability & Accessibility Reports

This report highlights key trends in voter turnout among voters with disabilities in the 2010 elections. Authors find that turnout by voters with disabilities was 3 percentage points lower than voters without disabilities. Authors analyze this trend by state, age, vote method, and employment status, among others.

Lisa Schur, Douglas KruseRutgers University2008
Usability & Accessibility Reports

This report highlights key trends in voter turnout among voters with disabilities in the 2008 elections. Authors find that turnout by voters with disabilities was 3 percentage points lower than voters without disabilities. Authors analyze this trends by state, age, vote method, and employment, among others.

John C. FortierAmerican Enterprise Institute2006
Voting by Mail In-Person Voting Reports

An early assessment of the growing trend of states expanding the use of absentee and early in-person voting in elections.

Lynn Baumeister, Whitney Quesenbery, Sharon LaskowskiNational Institute of Standards
Reports

This document outlines best practices for developing audio and tactile controls for voting systems. These best practices are intended to give voting system designers methods to improve their existing audio or for creating audio for a new voting system. They propose an incremental approach to testing the audio with voters with disabilities.

Workforce Issue Briefs

This resource provides an overview of state poll worker policies, highlighting the variance between states and need for unique approach to designing and implementing poll worker programs. Statutory references are provided for state laws related to poll worker qualifications, youth poll worker programs, residency requirements, and partisan distribution.

Workforce Issue Briefs

This resource provides tips and guidance for election officials to design clear, simple, easy to use, and easy to understand instructional materials for poll workers.

Steven RicherHarvard Kennedy School, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
Voter Trust Issue Briefs

Former Maricopa County recorder Stephen Richer outlines a potential solution to improving voter trust by offering election facility tours.