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Protecting the Integrity of the Polling Place: A Constitutional Defense of Poll Watcher Statutes (PDF)
Academics and advocates alike find sending observers to polling places on Election Day extremely useful, but in some states like Ohio, their efforts have been challenged under state law. This article from the Harvard Journal on Legislation explored the constitutionality of poll watcher statutes, arguing that laws permitting their presence at voting locations are permissible under the U.S. Constitution.

To read the article, go here (PDF).
Featured Resources
Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections v. Browning | FEBRUARY 2010
Supreme Court of Florida
The Florida Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of Sarasota County’s charter election law amendments, finding that state law does not bar individual counties from creating their own election laws.
Long Lines at Polling Stations? Observations from an Election Day Field Survey (PDF) | APRIL 2009
Douglas Spencer (University of California, Berkeley) and Zachary S. Markovits (Pew Center on the States)
Through an Election Day field study, the authors examine the commonality of lines at polling stations. They find inefficiencies in all three steps of casting a ballot, which they define as voter arrivals, voter is served by poll workers, and voter interaction with voting machine.
Election Plan for 2010 Elections: Precinct Closings (PDF) | DECEMBER 2009
Hawaii Office of Elections
In response to a request by the Election Commission, the Hawaii Office of Elections produced this report outlining the plan for the 2010 elections. A focus of this report is the effect of the reduced budget for the office on staffing and the number of precincts which will be open for the elections.
Procurement & the Polls: How Sharing Responsibility for Acquiring Voting Machines Can Improve and Restore Confidence in American Voting Systems (PDF) | APRIL 2009
Phillip J. Peisch, Georgetown Law Journal
This article explores the ways that various states distribute authority for the purchase of new voting technology, and argues that the procurement process can be improved through cooperation and shared responsibility.
Election Enhancements for Ohio: A Report to the Governor and General Assembly (PDF) | APRIL 2009
Office of the Ohio Secretary of State
This report takes a comprehensive look at Ohio's election system, report highlighting both successes and failures and making a range of recommendations.
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Research Projects
Center for American Politics and Citizenship
University of Maryland
As part of its broader research focus on elections, campaign ethics, campaign finance, and the legislative process, the Center for American Politics and Citizenship at the University of Maryland is engaged in research projects on voting technology and ballot design specifically.
Center for Democracy & Election Management
Center for Democracy & Election Management was established at the School of Public Affairs at American University in 2002. Their broader goal is to pave the way for and strengthen democracy through improved electoral performance.
Project Vote
Project Vote is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that works to empower, educate, and mobilize low-income, minority, youth, and other marginalized and under-represented voters.
Election Law @ Moritz
Election Law @ Moritz, run through Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University, contains both explanation and commentary on a wealth of election reform issues from a legal perspective.
Dēmos
Dēmos is a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization founded in 2000. A multi-issue national organization, Dēmoscombines research, policy development, and advocacy to influence public debates and catalyze change.
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