Memos
Ballot drop boxes are secure, locked structures that allow voters to cast completed absentee ballots without using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or having to return the ballot in person. In 2020, access to ballot drop boxes expanded immensely, and since then many states have continued to provide an increased number of ballot drop boxes to provide voters with an alternative method of casting their ballots. However, several states have prohibited or limited the availability of drop boxes, citing concerns over election security and the need to vote in person.
Election observers, also called “poll watchers,” monitor voting operations to ensure the election is conducted fairly. This report discusses the requirements for election observation in several battleground states, details the types of oversight these election observers conduct, and outlines the various oversight laws in different states.
“Uncommitted” – or similar alternatives like “No Preference” or “None of the names listed”– attracted significant interest this year. However, not every primary or caucus allowed voters to vote uncommitted. To gauge the prevalence of this option, we looked into the Republican and Democratic party primaries in every state and researched whether this option existed.
Other Resources
From early September through Election Day, we have been documenting core election performance statistics in a number of states of interest, and posting them to our social media channels and to the Elections Performance Central website. Now, we are releasing the data behind the plots, and all the code that we use to collect those data, and all the code we use to turn those data into plots.
As of June 21, 2024, student election workers can serve in some way in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Here, we aim to capture the status and ability of U.S. states and territories to recruit young people (under 18 years of age) to work at polling places. In addition, we show the variety of state statutes for student worker programs and compensation.