Resources

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.

This brief provides recommendations for the U.S. Department of Justice Election Threats Task Force aimed at strengthening protections for election workers against threats of violence. Recommendations include issuing additional guidance for law enforcement, noting the limitations of federal laws protecting election officials and addressing them as well as identifying alternatives to criminal prosecution to help deter threats and esnure the safety of election workers.

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.

The 2022 Local Election Official Survey provides insight into the challenges and successes facing election administrators by analyzing their workloads, job satisfaction, and efforts and views related to voter education and election confidence. The survey also highlights election officials' growing workloads, feelings of preparedness for the election, and growing voter-centric attitudes.

This report surveys temporary election-worker policies across all 50 states, highlighting both the protections in place and the gaps that remain. It includes a dataset of election worker requirements, including data points for what trainings are required, who is required to attend them, if election worker oaths are required, and what policies are in place to achieve political parity of poll workers.

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.

This report examines poll workers in the current election environment, including recruitment challenges, training needs, and the role poll workers play in shaping the voter experience and in building public confidence in elections.

The 2022 Local Election Official Survey explored the views and opinions of 596 local election officials, finding that most election officials need more support in their roles overall. Election officials noted the mounting stress of political attacks on the election system and threats against election officials. Concerns regarding the impacts of misinformation related to elections were also widespread.

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.

In this paper, authors explore how ballot length affects specific types of voting errors, including human-machine interaction errors and voter ballot-marking errors.