December 17, 2018, New Orleans, LA - National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) has released the first-year report of phase one of its Geo-Enabled Elections project, highlighting the project’s accomplishments in the first twelve months. These include completing a baseline assessment of how far states have come, to date, in terms of integrating geographic information systems (GIS) with electoral systems, as well as assembling a team of leaders and experts to help guide the project. The project team has also facilitated conversations with a wide range of stakeholder groups, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of using geospatial technology to increase reliability and accuracy in elections.

“During this first year, we’ve been encouraged to learn that while most voter data across the country is still kept in ‘address file’ tables, many state election directors are interested in the benefits that GIS can bring. Additionally, since most state governments have a geographic information officer (GIO) or equivalent on staff, the prospects for strengthening elections through the integration of GIS into electoral systems are very good.” says Dan Ross, NSGIC President and GIO for the State of Minnesota.

As part of the Geo-Enabled Elections project, NSGIC has been able to help build stronger connections between state officials responsible for the electoral system and state-level GIS subject matter experts, a critical first step towards the successful implementation of GIS in elections.

The organization, which is quickly becoming recognized as the center of expertise for how GIS can be deployed to strengthen electoral systems, also released the first draft of its best practices for how states may go about enhancing election accuracy using GIS. The five identified best practices are, in headline form:

1. Convene a Team of Specialists

2. Collect and Sustain a Statewide Voting Unit GIS Layer

3. Adopt and Implement a Statewide Geocoding Strategy

4. Assemble and Provide Best Available Contextual GIS Layers

5. Define and Implement Data Validation Processes

These draft best practices will be put to the test and further refined in five state-wide pilot studies taking place during the project's second year. The best practices can be viewed in full as part of the first-year report.

NSGIC’s report also outlines the work that lies ahead for the project, as well as opportunities to impact geo-enabled elections in phase two of the project (pending funding).

The Geo-Enabled Elections project, phase one, runs from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2019, with the aim to help strengthen electoral systems by supporting states in the adoption of GIS. Concretely, this means encouraging state governments to replace non-spatial ‘address file’ systems with election precinct and voter data in a GIS format, leveraging that format’s inherent visual and analytical advantages. The Geo-Enabled Elections project is partly funded by the bipartisan Democracy Fund Voice.

Download a complete copy of the first-year report here and learn more at nsgic.org/geo-enabled-elections.

The National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) promotes the efficient development and management of location-based information resources, and advocates for innovative, strategic use of these assets to advance the interests of states, tribes, regions, local governments, and the nation. For more information, visit nsgic.org or email Geospatial Programs Manager Jamie Chesser Email Contact.