If you’re in the field, the RFP’s at the Multnomah County Elections website are interesting reading. They provide some insight into what a large, fully vote by mail county is looking for in order to move to a new generation of election technology.
https://multco.us/purchasing/opportunities/elections-ballot-tally-system-replacement
Robert Taylor takes over, temporarily at least, as the new Oregon Secretary of State. http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/kate_browns_deputy_takes_over.html
Unclear what this means for the “new motor voter” bill championed by Brown. I think it means it’s a big go, since Brown can now push it from the Governor’s seat.
Congratulations to Tom Hicks, Matt Masterson, and Christy McCormick!
Courtesy of LA Sec’y of State Tom Schedler
Bad metaphor?
Sec’y of State Tom Schedler encourages voters to cast an early ballot: http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/louisiana/2014/11/21/know-early-voting-starts-saturday/19353791/
State Rep. Marcus Hunter claims that the early voting period needs to be extended because of Thanksgiving. http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2014/11/21/early-voting-runoff-election-begins-saturday/19350131/
Landrieu marching in an early voting rally: http://www.ksla.com/story/27459110/landrieu-kicks-off-early-voting-period-by-marching-with-voters
Another rally in Monroe, LA: http://www.myarklamiss.com/story/d/story/la-dems-hold-voting-rally/40289/sejB5OWYdk-ecIwmnLVSVA
Electionline has a great story on “vote shaming” and how some are reacting to the tactic. Christopher Mann, Assistant Professor of Communication and Political Science at LSU is prominently quoted in the story and does a good job explaining the academic research the underlies the technique.
Self promotion alert.
Here is a story profiling my distinguished chaired visiting professorship at Appalachian State University.
A set of companion bills (HB111, SB84) have been introduced in the Texas legislature that would allow for same-day registration during the period of early voting (SB84 looks like it is an attempt to institute same day registration for early and election day voting).
This has always struck me as an easy lift. At a recent conference, Charles Stewart referred to the “two percent rule,” indicating that most election reforms would result in, at best, a 2% change in turnout. I agree with Charles except for same day registration; we have lots of evidence that this reform results in a larger and consistently positive boost in turnout.
And since the same day registration occurs during early voting, there is no issue with jurisdictions not having enough time, staff, or resources on election day to make sure the registration is valid.
These may have no chance in the legislature, but it’s nice to see the debates occurring.
A number of changes in California law should result in more ballots being counted because voters have a few more days to return the ballots, and election officials have a few more days to resolve any outstanding issues with signatures.
But this will surely slow the count in California as officials process vote by mail ballots.
