Better Ballots (PDF)
From direct recording electronic machines (DREs) to hand-counted paper ballots, individuals across the country cast their ballots in countless different ways on Election Day, but good ballot design is of paramount importance, regardless of the type of system used. A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice explores thirteen common ballot design problems, reviews state laws that stand as obstacles to usability, and makes policy recommendations for the future.

Read the report here (PDF).
Featured Resources
Case Studies on the Impact of the Help America Vote Act’s Identification Requirements for First-Time Voters (PDF) | MAY 2008
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Under the Help America Vote Act, first-time voters are required to show identification when they go to the polls. This new study examines how administrators in six states have chosen to comply with that regulation and recommends best practices for use by other jurisdictions.
AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project Launch | FEBRUARY 8, 2006
AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project
On Wednesday, February 8, 2006, Senator Barack Obama delivered a keynote address to inaugurate the AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project. Senator Obama's address was followed by a discussion of the past and future of election reform among experts in election law, technology, and administration.
The Impact of Voting By Mail on Voter Behavior (PDF) | JULY 2004
Michael J. Hamner (Georgetown University) and Michael W. Traugott (University of Michigan), American Politics Research
In this article, the authors analyze the effects of voting by mail beyond voter turnout, including its impact on roll-off and straight-ticket voting.
Voter Confidence in Context and the Effect of Winning (PDF) | AUGUST 2008
Morgan Llewellyn (Caltech), Thad Hall (Utah), and R. Michael Alvarez (Caltech), Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project
This report examines some of the determinants of voter confidence in elections, looking specifically at support for a winning candidate and access to a voter verified paper audit trail (VVPAT).
Election Reform Newsletter, Issue #45 | FEBRUARY 6, 2008
AEI-Brookings Election Reform Project
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Research Projects
Election Law @ Moritz
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.
Election Administration Research Center (EARC), UC Berkeley
Election Administration Research Center (EARC), UC Berkeley
Part of the Institute for Governmental Studies at the University of California at Berkeley, the Election Administration Research Center (EARC) aims to improve the administration of elections.
Electionline.org
Electionline.org
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.
Center for American Politics and Citizenship
Center for American Politics and Citizenship
University of Maryland
As part of its broader research focus on elections, campaign ethics, campaign finance, and the legislative process, the Center for American Politics and Citizenship at the University of Maryland is engaged in research projects on voting technology and ballot design specifically.
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