Election Initiatives supports innovative research and partnerships to achieve the highest standards of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, convenience, and security in America’s system of election administration. Because effective elections systems are fundamental to our nation’s democracy, we examine pressing election problems, share successful practices, and undertake projects to help states implement efficient and cost-effective solutions.
Why Elections Systems Matter
American elections today operate much the way they did at the turn of the 20th century. Our work is aimed at modernizing elections systems, with a focus on three areas:
- Helping states improve voter registration systems, including maintaining accurate lists in a time of increased mobility;
- Collaborating with technology companies and state election offices to provide voters with easy access to official election information; and
- Strengthening research on election administration and developing data measures to provide an empirical assessment of how well our nation is conducting elections.
How We Conduct Our Work
- Policy Advocacy. In the states, we advocate for data-driven policies that make the best use of taxpayer resources while ensuring the highest standards of accuracy, convenience, security, and efficiency.
- Innovative Tools. We work with election officials, academics, and technology specialists to develop tools that help states streamline election processes and make the most of 21st-century technology.
- Research. We conduct policy-relevant research to identify areas of strength and weakness in current elections systems and to evaluate possible solutions. The findings help states improve the way elections are administered in the U.S.
- Information Sharing. Through events, online Election Data Dispatches, interactive graphics, and public appearances, we lead a national conversation on the importance of improved election systems. In doing so, we serve as a resource to state policy makers and election administrators making data-driven policy decisions.
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Election Data Dispatches
Election Data Dispatches provides data, research and analysis about election administration in the U.S. more
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- Election Initiatives
Voters With Disabilities in the 2012 General Election
In the 2012 general election, voters with disabilities cast ballots at lower rates than those without, according to U.S Census data. more
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- Election Initiatives
2012 Election Snapshot—Ohio
In the 2012 presidential election, approximately one-third of the more than 5.6 million ballots cast in Ohio were cast before Election Day, surpassing early vote totals for 2008, when almost 30 percent of ballots were cast early. The increase was due in part to absentee ballot applications being sent to all registered voters, a first for the state.
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2012 State Elections Snapshots
Good policy depends on good data. To help states achieve an election system with the highest standards of accuracy, cost effectiveness, convenience, and security, The Pew Charitable Trusts' election initiatives team took a detailed look at each state's 2012 election
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Nonvoting and the 2012 General Election
Most of the U.S. Census data about voting and registration from the November 2012 general election focus on voters, but it also examines why nonvoters did not vote. more
