Building Secure and Transparent Elections Through Standard Operating Procedures
Working Paper No.: 65Date Published: 2008-11-30
Author(s):
R. Michael Alvarez, California Institute of Technology
Thad E. Hall, University of Utah
Abstract:
Election reform has evolved since the 2000 election. One issue that has remained at the forefront
of public debate is how to build confidence in the election process. The foundation for
confidence is based on procedures for electoral security and transparency. In this article, the
authors use legal theories of evidence and public administration theories related to standard
operating procedures to consider how election fraud—and claims of fraud—can be prevented by
having effective and rigorous chain of custody procedures. Using case studies, they show how
such chains of custody can be implemented and examine which states have processes and
procedures that promote the transparency that is critical for public examination of the electoral
process. They conclude with consideration of best practices in this area.