Voter Information in the Digital Age: Grading State Election Websites

Publication Date: December 2012

Publisher: Center for Governmental Studies

Author(s): Tracy Westen; Ava Alexandar; Robert M. Stern

Research Area: Political Reform

Keywords: Elections; Voter Information; Internet

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Voter Information in the Digital Age: Grading State Election Websites examines the extent to which state election websites provide voters with sufficient information to make informed choices. The report assesses the quantity and quality of candidate and ballot measure information offered by the 50 state and District of Columbia election websites and ranks them from one to 51. It recommends a number of best practices currently used by some state or local jurisdictions, as well as innovations on other websites that are used rarely or not at all on state election websites. The authors recommend that states follow new technologies and trends in information delivery and design, and offer voters a full range of candidate and ballot information in innovative formats and media.