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Evaluating On-line Training
Election Day success is dependent on the performance of poll workers, but improving the training of this crucial segment of election administrators is often overlooked by officials. A pilot study, conducted in Ohio and Texas counties, examined the effectiveness of combining traditional in-person poll worker training with on-line educational tools. Those who participated in on-line training were more confident in their work, knew the specifics of their job better, and ultimately performed better on Election Day. While limited to studying the efficacy of a single on-line training tool, the results from this study provide evidence to support further research into and implementation of on-line training resources to better prepare poll workers for their important work.

Read the report here.
Featured Resources
This article explores the constitutionality of poll watcher statutes, arguing that laws permitting their presence at voting locations are permissible under the U.S. Constitution.
This report reviews the election process across all fifty states, using the Carter-Baker Commission’s recommendations as guidelines.
This paper examines the impact of electoral laws on turnout in elections. The authors find that by aggregating turnout among different demographic groups, they can estimate the impact of electoral reforms over time.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of Sarasota County’s charter election law amendments, finding that state law does not bar individual counties from creating their own election laws.
The Research Database on the U.S. Voting System and Voting Technology provides access to empirical and analytical research about voting and elections to inform evidence-based reforms.
Research Projects
Election Law @ Moritz, run through Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University, contains both explanation and commentary on a wealth of election reform issues from a legal perspective.
electionline.org provides daily news updates on election reform issues, as well as deeper analysis of selected topics, including recent reports on voter registration, recount procedures, and the progress in implementing the Help America Vote Act since 2002.
FairVote develops and promotes practical strategies to improve elections at the local, state and national levels.
Center for Democracy & Election Management was established at the School of Public Affairs at American University in 2002. Their broader goal is to pave the way for and strengthen democracy through improved electoral performance.
The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on fundamental issues of democracy and justice.
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
www.aei.org
The Brookings Institution
www.brookings.edu
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