How Effective Is Election Administration in the U.S.?

What is the Elections Performance Index (EPI)?

The EPI is an objective measure of election performance in each state for U.S. midterm and presidential elections. It was initially developed by the Pew Charitable Trusts, and is now managed by the MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL).

The EPI is an important, nonpartisan source of information on how—and how well—elections are managed in the US. It provides data on each national election since 2008, allowing us to compare states with their own past performance, as well as with other states across the country. MEDSL has just released the 2018 index scores, which show that across the board, U.S. election management has continued to improve.

With the 2018 index, MEDSL has also launched a new website for the EPI, allowing users to navigate the state and indicator data more easily and intuitively. The new website also features a section for ongoing discussion, commentary, and analysis: the newest post discusses what the 2018 EPI can tell us about the upcoming 2020 election.

“The index shows just how challenging it is to administer elections, and provides us with specific insights into how the process can be improved,” says Charles Stewart III, Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Political Science at MIT and founding director of the MIT Election Data and Science Lab.

Each time a federal election rolls around, a core question about some aspect of elections and how elections are managed arises. The EPI was the first objective measure to give a comprehensive assessment of how election administration functions in each state. Its data-focused approach means it can serve as a foundation for discussions on the challenges that arise for election administrators, and shed light on the opportunities each state has to address them.

What is the impact of the EPI on election administration?

The EPI provides an opportunity to step back from the immediate concerns of any given election and take a broader look at how elections are going, overall. The index answers questions such as:

• What is it like to run an election in the U.S. right now?
• Where are things going well? Where is there room for improvement?

In an election year like 2020, administrators and election officials have needed to adapt quickly to new challenges. Objective, data-driven measures become even more important in telling the story of how elections in the US are managed. The 2018 EPI, while focused on the previous election, provides an important snapshot in time. It provides data and context that can be used to improve plans for the next election.

What is the MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL)?

The MIT Election Data + Science Lab is dedicated to applying scientific principles to how elections are studied and administered, with the aim of improving the democratic experience for all U.S. voters.

MEDSL supports advances in election science by collecting, analyzing, and sharing core data and findings. The lab aims to build relationships with election officials and others to help apply new scientific research to the practice of democracy in the United States.

By grounding its work in data and the scientific method, MEDSL recommendations aim to improve democratic practice for everyone.

MEDSL remains committed to the principles on which the EPI was founded: that by analyzing quantifiable data (which allows for comparison across states and election cycles), we can begin to identify best practices and areas for improvement in election administration.

Election processes and mechanisms aren’t set in stone; they’re always changing. It’s critical to remember that elections—like any other system—can be improved. Having data and objective measures helps us do that with an evidence-based approach.