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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The LATEST from the Project
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- Opinion
- Election Initiatives
Improve Overseas Military Voting
If there is any voting group which is more conscious of the meaning of the right to vote, it is members of the military. Overseas military personnel, especially those serving in war zones, are putting their lives on the line to protect our rights, including our right to vote.
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- Dispatch
- Election Initiatives
North Dakota Dispatch: Smaller Counties Mean Larger Election Costs
In North Dakota, research indicates that elections cost significantly more per voter in smaller counties than larger ones.
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- Dispatch
- Election Initiatives
Welcome to Election Data Dispatches
Election Data Dispatches is our round-up of the best stories, data, research and analysis that the world of election administration has to offer. It is election administration by the numbers, served up regularly for you to use and share.
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- Election Initiatives
Upgrading Voter Registration Design
Inefficiencies in America’s voter registration systems lead to an inaccurate and costly registration process. Pew has been working with state and local election officials, as well as technology experts, to upgrade voter registration systems by improving the technology used to keep registration records up to date. To ensure the highest degrees of security protocols are achieved, Pew commissioned the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), to analyze the ERIC system design and make recommendations.
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- Media Coverage
- Election Initiatives
U.S. States Tighten Voting Regulation With Republicans in Charge
With Republicans taking control of most U.S. capitols this year and a presidential race looming, states have passed the most election-related laws since 2003 in a push to tighten voting rules. more
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- Media Coverage
- Election Initiatives
Military Voters Get Flexibility
Sen. Chip Campsen said he was outraged when he learned that many of the votes cast by South Carolina's men and women serving overseas were at risk of never being counted in an election. more
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- Media Coverage
- Election Initiatives
New Legislation Makes it Easier for Military Overseas to Vote
Gov. Bev Perdue Monday signed into law model legislation that makes it easier for North Carolina military serving overseas to vote. Standing in front of dozens of National Guardsmen, Perdue said the legislation was part of North Carolina's efforts to become make the state military friendly.
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- Press Release
- Election Initiatives
Pew Applauds North Carolina for Landmark Military and Overseas Voters Act
The North Carolina Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act (HB 514) was signed into law today by Gov. Bev Perdue (D) at a ceremony in the old capitol building in Raleigh. The legislation, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, makes significant changes to the voting process so that North Carolinians abroad can more easily participate in all elections, and helps ensure that their votes will be counted. more
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- Press Release
- Election Initiatives
Pew Applauds South Carolina for Military and Overseas Voting Improvements
The South Carolina Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voters Act (S. 404) was signed into law today by Gov. Nikki Haley. The new law, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, makes it easier for South Carolinians abroad to participate in federal, state and local elections. more
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- Election Initiatives
Upgrading Democracy
This 2010 report argued that Americans deserve a more cost-effective, accurate and efficient registration system that protects the integrity of the process and ensures that more eligible voters—and only eligible voters—are on the rolls.
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