[an error occurred while processing this directive]

REVISITING THE U.S. VOTING SYSTEM: A RESEARCH INVENTORY

November 27-28, 2006

Convened by the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Scott Doyle

NEW WORLD ELECTION MANAGEMENT

Research needs related to voting have been plentiful over the past few years. Since the 2000 Bush v. Gore election there has been much happening in an attempt to improve election processes in America. Given that, it seems many would agree that voting in America has been fairly successful overall. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA), provisional balloting, identification requirements, new technical standards for all “voting systems,” new accessibility standards, more rigorous state oversight, voter-verified paper records, new security measures, etc., have all come to the forefront. All of this happened in the recent past and implementation across the nation continues to this day.

Additional research may be useful. Conversely, it seems reasonable to use some discretion in placing even more requirements on the process that is already seen by many local election officials as heavy lifting. The weight has changed while resources have dwindled locally. Much has already been accomplished within the American voting system, and a pause may be in order so as to assess those adjustments already made.

Nevertheless, it is clear that moving to the future will most certainly bring additional election reform. What should be explored, what should be experimented with, what are the consequences and what are the benefits overall—all questions that should be explored prior to moving to the future with further reform measures.

Across the board, a great deal of interest has been placed on technological solutions. HAVA, additional state voting oversight, etc., seem to have made election administration more complicated, and have possibly increased the risk for problems. Voting technology appears to make things easier for the voter, which is an important objective; however, it is apparent that, in many cases, it creates issues for administrators and poll workers.

American election processes were developed over 200 years ago and at a time when precincts would most certainly allow a poll worker to “know everyone” who would come to vote. Simply said, that was 200 years ago, and we certainly do not live like we did 200 years ago. America has grown and so has the level of technology available to assist us with logistical voting issues. Technology, affording election officials efficiency, has allowed us to now look outside of neighborhoods for the public to have a gratifying experience at the polls.

In 2003, we in Larimer County, Colorado, went to a process of voting that we call “Vote Centers”. A Vote Center is a polling location where any voter in the county can go to vote. Through the use of Vote Centers, there is no longer a wrong place within the county to vote. In 2005 Robert Stein of Rice University and I began a working relationship regarding the Vote Center concept. Since that time Professor Stein and his team has worked to research the concept of Vote Centers and their affects on voting.

The Vote Center concept significantly improves access to voting in Larimer County. Instead of a large number of small precinct-based polling locations, a fewer number of large facility Vote Centers are put into place. Voters may vote at any location that best fits their lifestyles. They can vote on their way to work, before picking up children, at lunch, or anytime they choose, and at any Vote Center they are near. We are no longer working in neighborhoods where we live. Instead, we live in a culture where more of us are commuting longer distances for almost everything. This model has proven extremely satisfying for voters in Larimer County and participation has increased, according to the research studies done by Professor Stein.

An electronic poll book located at the Courthouse and connected electronically to all Vote Centers prevents voters from casting more than one ballot. United with no excuse absentee voting, and early voting sites being available several weeks in advance of election day, Vote Centers allow Larimer County voters an opportunity to vote as they live, conveniently and unimpeded.

Over twenty (20) counties in Colorado have moved to conducting their elections using Vote Centers. Some others across the nation are also interested; Texas has held a successful Vote Center pilot election this year; and Indiana, led by Secretary of State Todd Rokita, is moving forward with the model as well.

No matter where election administration goes from here, it seems reasonable that the call to order should be on several crucial areas within the industry. Educating the public, training poll workers, security and the perception thereof, accessibility, funding, process evaluation coupled with resource allocation, are all vital to future successes.