Provisional Ballots: Problem-Solver or the New Hanging Chad?
OCTOBER 2008
Provisional Ballots: Problem-Solver or the New Hanging Chad?
A variety of factors, including record numbers of new registrants and the first presidential election test of several voter ID laws, may produce a large number of provisional ballots in November. A new report from the Advancement Project examines the rejection rates of these ballots in 2006 and makes recommendations for reform, while a paper from David Andersen at Rutgers investigates the effect of ID requirements on the number of provisionals cast.
Featured Resources
The EPC’s preliminary analysis of complaints registered in the Election Incident Reporting System (EIRS) during the 2004 presidential election reveals problems in registration processing, absentee balloting, machine errors, voter suppression or intimidation, and provisional ballots
Various jurisdictions in Maryland experienced polling place problems during the 2006 primary election, and this report summarizes the findings of an extensive investigation into their causes by the Maryland Attorney General's office.
This report provides practical recommendations in the areas of voter registration and identification, provisional voting, and voting technology certification to help states meet HAVA deadlines.
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.
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
www.aei.org
The Brookings Institution
www.brookings.edu
© Copyright 2006, AEI
and The Brookings Institution