Archive for August 2011

Governments are being pressed more and more to improve “customer service” – what does this mean in the world of elections?

The U.S. Department of Justice has asked for more time to review South Carolina’s new photo ID law under the Voting Rights Act. While the delay will keep some in suspense, the extra time could yield valuable data in the effort to evaluate the impact of voter ID laws.

A mounting controversy in Cuyahoga County, OH could re-open the long-running fight between states and localities for control over election administration.

The Port Orchard, WA City Council recently rolled back a decision because of the cost of holding a special election for voters to approve the change. What might this mean in other communities?

A wealth of Pew Internet data on Americans’ technology adoption suggests that election offices have to commit to broader use of online delivery of voting information.

Virginia’s Primary Day earthquake has raised the profile of contingency planning for elections, but (accidentally?) wise words from a former major leaguer suggest an additional mindset that’s important to remember as well.

Solving the growing problem of delayed or incorrect voter cards might just take some inspiration from vaudeville – and an assist from 21st Century technology.

A recent controversy in Stafford County, VA should be a call to action for the field of election administration.

Recent stories out of Rhode Island and Ohio suggest that the voter ID debate may be breaking free of the partisan predictability that has dominated the issue.

A recent report out of King County, WA has some really interesting data about the impact of the 2006 switch to vote by mail. One story, however, missed the point by focusing on turnout instead.