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The Effect of Ballot Characteristics on the Likelihood of Voting Errors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2021

Nicholas D. Bernardo Jr. Open the ORCID record for Nicholas D. Bernardo Jr. [Opens in a new window] ,
Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz Open the ORCID record for Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz [Opens in a new window]  and
Gretchen A. Macht Open the ORCID record for Gretchen A. Macht [Opens in a new window]
Nicholas D. Bernardo Jr.*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical, Industrial & Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz
Affiliation:
School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, College Park
Gretchen A. Macht
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical, Industrial & Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
*
Corresponding author: Nicholas D. Bernardo Jr., email: nbernardo@uri.edu
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Abstract

In the United States, people are asked to vote on a myriad of candidates, offices, and ballot questions. The result is lengthy ballots that are time intensive and complicated to fill out. In this paper, we utilize a new analytical technique harnessing ballot scanner data from a statewide midterm election to estimate the effects of ballot complexity on voting errors. We find that increases in ballot length, increases in the number of local ballot questions, and increases in the number of candidates listed for single offices significantly increase the odds of encountering ballot marking and scanning errors. Our findings indicate that ballots’ characteristics can help election administrators make Election Day planning and resource allocation decisions that decrease ballot errors and associated wait times to vote while increasing the reliability of election results and voter confidence in the electoral process.

Keywords

voting machinesballot errorsballot lengthoptical scanners
Type
Original Article
Information
State Politics & Policy Quarterly , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , June 2022 , pp. 121 - 139
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the American Political Science Association

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