Latest Research from the VTP

Residual Votes in the 2008 Minnesota Senate Race

Submitted by gbain on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 14:53
Working Paper No.: 
3
Date Published: 
11/15/2008
Author(s): 
Michael C. Herron
Dartmouth College
Jeffrey B. Lewis
The 2008 United States Senate race in Minnesota is one of the closest electoral

Bibliography of research literature on instant runoff voting

Submitted by gbain on Mon, 02/23/2009 - 10:19
Working Paper No.: 
72
Date Published: 
02/01/2009
Author(s): 
Ines Levin
California Institute of Technology
Introduction This bibliography lists a diversity of publications related to Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). This voting method is a particular type of Single Transferable Vote (STV), applied in single-seat elections. † It is a sequential elimination voting procedure, and due to the use of ranked-ordered ballots, it belongs to the group of preferential-voting methods. It is also called Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) or Alternative Vote. One set of publications included in this bibliography is concerned with the impact of IRV, or runoff methods in general, on the party system, candidate

People Power or a One-Shot Deal? The Legacy of the Colored Revolutions Considered from a Collective Action Framework

Submitted by gbain on Mon, 02/23/2009 - 10:25
Working Paper No.: 
5
Date Published: 
11/01/2007
Author(s): 
Joshua A. Tucker
New York University
***DRAFT IN PROGRESS.*** Introduction

The 2008 Presidential Primaries through the Lens of Prediction Markets

Submitted by gbain on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 11:21
Working Paper No.: 
4
Author(s): 
Erik Snowberg
Caltech
Neil Malhotra
To explore the influence of primary results during the 2008 nomination process we leverage a previously unused methodology—the analysis of prediction market contracts. The unique structure of prediction markets allows us to address two unexplored questions. First, we analyze whether primary results affect candidates’ chances in the general election, as candidates who take strong positions during the nomination contest may be unable to easily appeal to centrist voters in the general election.

Detecting Fraud in America’s Gilded Age

Submitted by gbain on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 07:52
Working Paper No.: 
2
Date Published: 
07/01/2008
Author(s): 
Gail Buttorff
University of Iowa
Abstract: This paper extends recent developments in election forensics to test for electoral fraud during a period of American history widely suspected to be ripe with fraud. It uses the second-digit Benford’s Law test in an effort to identify possible instances of election fraud during the Gilded Age—an era of highly competitive party politics. The study focuses on presidential and gubernatorial elections in Southern US states during the period from 1872 to 1896. The empirical results corroborate some of the extant historical anecdotes of electoral fraud during this period.

Can We Trust The Machines?

Submitted by gbain on Mon, 11/03/2008 - 09:45
in: 
Featured Content
Author(s): 
Walter R. Mebane Jr.
Journal: 
Science Magazine
pp: 
322
Link to Article: 
Date Published: 
10/31/2008
Since the 2000 U.S. presidential election, many have worked to increase voters’ confidence that election results are fair and correct. One theme from 2000 was that the technology used to record votes—especially punchcard ballots—was deficient and needed to be replaced. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 provided federal funds for states to acquire electronic voting machines or optically scanned paper ballots. New controversy arose when computer scientists and others complained that the recommended technologies were far from being up to the task. The

Fraud, Elections and the American Gene in Taiwan’s Democracy

Submitted by gbain on Tue, 08/19/2008 - 15:18
Working Paper No.: 
1
Date Published: 
08/10/2008
Author(s): 
Lichun Chiang
Peter C. Ordeshook
Using several indicators that have been applied elsewhere to detect election fraud using official election returns, this essay takes close look at Taiwan’s three most recent presidential contests. However, rather than simply see if we can find evidence of fraud in those returns, we also see how close the patterns in the numbers mimic what we find in the United States and in this way offer a measure of the extent to which America’s “genetic gene” has taken root in Taiwan.

Access Versus Integrity in Voter Identification Requirements

Submitted by admin on Fri, 06/20/2008 - 16:19
Working Paper No.: 
58
Date Published: 
01/31/2007
Author(s): 
Stephen Ansolabehere
No abstract available.

The Influence of Initiative Signature Gathering Campaigns on Political Participation (II)

Submitted by admin on Fri, 06/20/2008 - 15:46
Working Paper No.: 
45
Date Published: 
11/30/2005
Author(s): 
R. Michael Alvarez
Frederick J. Boehmke
Does direct democracy increase political participation?

Application of Lean Management Principles to Election Systems

Submitted by admin on Fri, 06/20/2008 - 15:39
Working Paper No.: 
42
Date Published: 
01/31/2006
Author(s): 
Tomer Posner
No abstract or file available.Lean was first adopted as a management technique for improving results in manufacturing environments. It is based on the 5 principles of identifying the Value to be created, mapping the Value-Stream (incremental addition of value), ensuring process Flow, orienting the process towards the Pull of the customer and finally eliminating all Waste through a process of continuous improvement. This framework is highly adaptable, and has been applied in recent years to non-manufacturing efforts, such as product development and the retail and service industries.

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