Latest Research from the VTP

Abstract
Voter registration databases maintain lists of registered voters that are used to determine who is and is not eligible
to vote in an election. As such, accurate voter registration databases form a cornerstone of the electoral process. In
the United States, each state maintains its own voter registration database. It is not uncommon for a voter to become registered in two states, for example as a result of moving from one state to the other or of living in one state and working in one another.

Introduction

The practice of voter registration has a long history in the United States. In 1800, Massachusetts was the first state to impose a voter registration requirement. By Reconstruction, voter registration was used in a handful of states, typically in urban areas, as a tool to prevent multiple voting. By early in the twentieth century, most states required voter registration.

Introduction

Abstract
Between December 2007 and February 2009, Venezuelans participated twice in constitutional referenda where
the elimination of presidential term limits was one of the most salient proposals. Assuming voter preferences

Summary of talk
• Election administration data
• Turnout differences
• Reasons for not registering and voting (Census Bureau
data)
• Voting administration and race (Pew/MIT Survey)
– Lines
– Voter identification

Previous empirical research and other related research from survey methodology holds that candidates listed first on an election ballot may gain some measure of advantage from this ballot placement. Using data from the 1998 general election in California, we test whether a candidate’s relative position on the ballot has any statistical effect on vote shares. We find little systematic evidence that candidate vote shares benefit from being listed first on the ballot.

Survey Background
• Gauging the quality of the voting experience
• Research design
– 200 respondents contacted in every state, or 10,000
total
– Survey in the field the week following Nov. 4
– Pilot surveys conducted on in Nov. ’07 and Super
Tuesday ’08
– Parallel nationwide survey
• Limited set of questions
• 32,800 total respondents