Toward A Common Framework for Voter List Maintenance
The MIT Election Data and Science Lab helps highlight new research and interesting ideas in election science, including through research grants under our ongoing Practice-Oriented Research program.
Our post today comes from Katie King from the National Conference of State Legislatures, based on their ongoing research funded by this program. The information and opinions expressed in this column represent their own research, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the MIT Election Lab or MIT.
Policymakers frequently seek NCSL educational materials and input to help inform decision-making. Legislatures consider a significant amount of voter registration and list maintenance legislation each year, as these policies are integral parts of election administration.
With this in mind, NCSL is expanding and improving our current voter registration and list maintenance resources. In its current form, the resource provides state examples of many list maintenance processes. As part of this grant project, we hope to reformat the web resource for increased usability and provide comprehensive 50-state information on the various aspects of list maintenance.
New resources will create a first-of-its-kind voter registration and list maintenance classification system to be used by policymakers, practitioners and researchers. The NCSL and the Elections & Voting Information Center (EVIC) project working toward a common framework for voter list maintenance consists of three components supporting the categorization, identification and dissemination of voter list maintenance policy considerations. First, a classification of list maintenance practices that can be used for cross-state comparison. Second, state snapshots of existing voter list maintenance policy and sample validation of practices; and finally, a virtual convening to present findings.
The Framework
Voter registration and list maintenance processes look different from state to state but can be viewed through a common framework examining the lifecycle of voter registration and list maintenance. At the most basic level this includes a voter registering, their information being sent to and verified by an election entity, the voter being added to the voter rolls, and actions taken to update, inactivate or cancel the registration. NCSL has identified 10 components comprising a framework which outlines the lifecycle of voter registration data:
- Voter enters information through registration form.
- Voter data is transmitted to government (elections entity).
- Government receives voter data.
- Government processes voter data.
- Actions taken to address incomplete data.
- Voter record is created and voter is “active.”
- Voter record is maintained.
- Active status can be altered.
- Voter record can be reactivated.
- Voter record can be removed from active list.
Using this framework, we are beginning to build a resource to outline these processes for a select group of states that can later be expanded to all 50 states. The goal is to create a cross-state comparable classification of list maintenance practices that will inform state snapshots of existing voter list maintenance practices. The snapshots will look similar to this example from a previous project:
Terminology
While applying the framework to states, we are identifying voter registration and list maintenance terms to create a glossary. Like election administration policy, terminology varies from state to state, which can make cross-state comparison difficult. Although we are striving to use existing terminology and definitions from sources such as NIST and the EAC, in some cases this is not viable.
For example, Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) requires states to designate voter registration agencies. While the NVRA specifies that offices providing public assistance and services to people with disabilities must be included, states may designate “other” offices within the state as “NVRA agencies” which may be defined in state statutes. As we build the framework, we hope to identify various "NVRA agencies" in statutes to make comparisons across states about what state agencies are required to provide voter registration opportunities.
The Framework in Practice
In partnership with the Elections & Voting Information Center at Reed College (EVIC), academic researchers will meet with election officials in designated states to determine how the framework operates in practice. Officials will walk researchers through their voter registration and list maintenance processes to add practical insight to existing statutory guidelines and to determine settings where statute and practice might differ.
Still to Come: Virtual Convenings
Once preliminary research is completed, NCSL will host virtual convenings to disseminate findings. These convenings will be posted with the resources to be used by NCSL members, academics, practitioners and the public.
