Election administration consists of many logistical challenges. Election officials often make decisions with the goal of addressing these challenges and improving the voting experience.
Researchers can use advanced technology to create thousands of realistic simulations for a variety of situations. The EAC has partnered with the University of Rhode Island (URI) to use this technology to better inform election officials. The EAC and URI have created a series of simulation videos that replicate common Election Day issues. The simulations that were used to create this video series are based on several inputs that are common to many polling places:
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A polling location that serves 1,500 voters on Election Day
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Voter check-in stations
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Voting booths where voters mark a paper ballot
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Ballot tabulators that scan paper ballots
To provide additional context about the video series and how election officials can use the SMILE election processes video simulations series, watch this interview with EAC Commissioner Palmer and Gretchen Macht from the University of Rhode Island.
The videos below used over 8,000 simulations to determine the most cost-effective resource allocations for polling locations that also keep wait times under 30 minutes. Election officials can use this information to evaluate a variety of consolidation strategies.
The EAC and URI will be providing future simulations addressing other common election administration issues. Additional simulations will include the following topics:
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Allocating accessible voting technology at polling locations
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Addressing lines during in-person voting
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Deploying new voting systems and allocating resources
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Managing polling location stoppages that may occur on Election Day
Polling Place Consolidation Simulations
This simulations video series is intended to help election officials develop a polling place consolidation program. It provides visual interpretations of voting locations, equipment, staff, and explores how different strategies may work in practice at a voting location.
Polling Place Line Alleviation Simulations
This simulations video series is intended to help election officials develop strategies for alleviating long lines at polling places. The simulations in this series explore different strategies based on voting processes, available resources, and voter arrival patterns. Through these video simulations, election officials will be able to visualize how these strategies may work in practice at a voting location.
Polling Place Interruptions Simulations
This simulations video series is intended to help election officials develop strategies for dealing with interruptions to their polling places, specifically delayed openings and temporary shutdowns. The simulations in this series explore voter wait times and mitigation strategies during these interruptions. Through these video simulations, election officials will be able to visualize how these strategies may work in practice at a voting location.
Voting Process Changes Simulations
This simulations video series is intended to help election officials develop strategies for incorporating new voting equipment into the voting process. The simulations in this series explore voter wait times between different voting equipment and processes. Through these video simulations, election officials will be able to visualize how these strategies may work in practice at a voting location.