Paul S. Herrnson
Benjamin B. Bederson
ABSTRACT
The interdisciplinary project uses a variety of research designs, data collection methodologies, and analysis techniques and two ballot designs to assess five commercially available electronic voting systems and one prototype system developed specifically for the project. Each system is tested using an office bloc ballot and another standard ballot style that is formatted to encourage partisan voting. Results to date indicate that most experts and voters provide favorable assessments of the systems, but serious concerns remain. Design features can add or detract considerably from voters' comfort using the systems, confidence that their vote was accurately recorded, and feeling the need to request help. Factors related to the digital divide influence voter reactions to the systems. Additional research will assess the impact of voting systems and ballot formats on the accuracy with which votes are cast and the impact of changing voting systems and ballots has on voter performance. At the completion of the project, we will create a generalized protocol for testing voting technology and ballot formats that will be disseminated for nationwide use.
- Bederson, B., Conrad, F. Herrnson, P., Niemi, R., and Traugott, M. Designing Interfaces for Voting Machines. Presentation at the annual meetings of the National Association of Election Directors, Washington, DC, Feb. 4, 2005.Google Scholar
- Herrnson, P., Niemi, R., Hanmer, M., Francia, P., Bederson, B. Conrad, F., and Traugott, M. The Promise and Pitfalls of Electronic Voting Machines: Results from a Usability Field Experiment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April. 7--10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Traugott, M., Hanmer, M., Park, W., Herrnson, P., Niemi, R., Bederson, B., and Conrad, F. The Impact of Voting Systems on Residual Votes, Incomplete Ballots, and Other Measures of Voting Behavior. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April. 7--10, 2005.Google Scholar
Index Terms
- A project to assess voting technology and ballot design
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