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Voting and Elections

Free and fair elections are the foundation of a healthy democracy.

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Elections and Election Administration Paper Series, Reimagining Democracy

The Ash Center brings together research, events, and expert analysis on voting, election administration, civic participation, and the institutions that help ensure elections are accessible, secure, and trusted.

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Improving the Pipeline of Election Officials Strengthening Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development in U.S. Election Administration
A poll worker consulting a clipboard on a table.

Paper

Improving the Pipeline of Election Officials Strengthening Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development in U.S. Election Administration

This paper by members of the Ash Center’s Executive Session on Elections and Election Administration, Tina Barton, Judd Choate, Ruth Greenwood, Elizabeth Linos, Veniece Miller and Tammy Patrick, presents a comprehensive pipeline strategy to recruit, support, and retain election administrators—by reducing barriers to entry, strengthening professional networks, improving workplace support and using workforce data to address burnout and prevent attrition.

How Americans Navigate Voting Information Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections
Captiol building with trend graphic

Additional Resource

How Americans Navigate Voting Information Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections

The Shorenstein Center’s 2026 Voting Information Trends project—developed in collaboration with the National Internet Observatory at Northeastern University, the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation’s Program on Democracy and the Informed Public, and The Civic Health and Institutions Project—provides new insights into the voter information landscape in the United States ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Among the resources, an interactive dashboard maps where Americans are finding voting information and learning about key aspects of the voting process—from sourcing polling locations to voter registration. Also included are a series of trends reports gauging perceptions of voting in the lead up to the 2026 midterm elections.

In Appearance Before Congress, Stephen Richer Testifies on Alleged Noncitizen Voting in New Jersey
Stephen Richer testifying before Congress.

Feature

In Appearance Before Congress, Stephen Richer Testifies on Alleged Noncitizen Voting in New Jersey

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, now an Ash Senior Fellow and election administration expert, testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight. The hearing examined allegations that approximately 6,600 noncitizens were improperly registered to vote in New Jersey between June 2023 and June 2024.

 

Reimagining Democracy 2026 Summer Reading List
A collage of book covers, podcasts, and reports from the Reimagining Democracy summer reading list.

Feature

Reimagining Democracy 2026 Summer Reading List

Tova Wang, director of research projects in democratic practice at the Ash Center, shares her top picks for summer reads focused on making democracy more resilient, responsive, and inclusive.

Building Capacity to Use Social Media: How Election Officials Can Leverage Content Creation to Provide Accurate Voter Information
A content creator with a microphone.

Paper

Building Capacity to Use Social Media: How Election Officials Can Leverage Content Creation to Provide Accurate Voter Information

As traditional news declines, content creators play a growing role as information sources. This paper proposes frameworks for effective collaboration between creators and election officials and offers recommendations for officials to develop their own social media content.

Who’s in Charge of Congressional Elections?
U.S. Capitol Building.

Additional Resource

Who’s in Charge of Congressional Elections?

This resource provides accessible, reliable information on constitutional history and the roles and responsibilities involved in administering congressional elections in the United States, with the goal of advancing civic understanding among government officials, media, civic organizations, and the American public.

Voter Experience Summit Recap

Commentary

Voter Experience Summit Recap

Allen Lab Fellow Hillary Lehr convened a Voter Experience Summit at Harvard’s Ash Center in March, bringing together 25 cross-sector experts to rigorously map the voter journey. This essay explores how that collaborative process could lay the groundwork for new interventions to understand and improve the experience of voting for all.

The Necessary and Valuable Partnership: Law Enforcement and Election Officials
A photo of police car lights on top of a police car.

Paper

The Necessary and Valuable Partnership: Law Enforcement and Election Officials

This report by Christine Cole, Kim Wyman, and Tina Barton examines the complicated historical relationship between voting and law enforcement in the United States, highlighting how policing experiences can influence public attitudes towards the presence of law enforcement at voting locations.

Voting with the Las Vegas Raiders: The Impact of Allegiant Stadium as a Polling Location in 2024
An image of the report in front of Allegiant Stadium field.

Policy Brief

Voting with the Las Vegas Raiders: The Impact of Allegiant Stadium as a Polling Location in 2024

Sports facilities are uniquely positioned to provide an enjoyable voting experience and strengthen civic engagement. A new report by Tova Wang, Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice, explores the impact of stadium voting in 2024 at Allegiant Stadium, drawing widespread, bipartisan support from voters and election officials and strengthening the relationship between the Las Vegas Raiders and the surrounding community.

The Voter Experience
Sign that says

Commentary

The Voter Experience

Despite these unprecedented investments in mobilizing voters, overall trust in electoral health, democratic institutions, voter satisfaction, and electoral engagement have significantly declined. What might we be missing? Bruce Schneier and Hillary Lehr explore ways to enhance the voter experience in elections.

Can Election Facility Tours Improve Voter Confidence?
Voting booths in polling place

Commentary

Can Election Facility Tours Improve Voter Confidence?

American democracy has faced a crisis of trust in elections, fueled by denialism and movements like “Stop the Steal”. Former Maricopa County recorder and Ash Senior Practice Fellow, Stephen Richer, outlines a potential solution in election administration by offering election facility tours. Finding that witnessing the election process firsthand significantly boosted trust in its integrity, highlighting transparency as a key tool to rebuild voter confidence.

Does Ranked Choice Voting Create Barriers for Minority Voters?
Vote Here placard at polling station

Commentary

Does Ranked Choice Voting Create Barriers for Minority Voters?

Ranked choice voting (RCV) aims to expand voter choice and improve representation, but Nolan McCarty’s research warns it could have unintended negative effects on minority communities’ representation and influence.

Engaging Fans, Empowering Voters: How Professional Sports are Promoting Civic Engagement
Photo of a sports stadium from the perspective of someone in the stands

Video

Engaging Fans, Empowering Voters: How Professional Sports are Promoting Civic Engagement

The Ash Center hosted a discussion with representatives of the NBA, NFL Votes, the co-founder of Vet the Vote, and the Deputy Secretary of State of Georgia to discuss how these partnerships are succeeding at supporting voter participation and fair and secure elections.

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