1. Beyond Campaign Finance prepping for an election in a battleground state The data you need in anticipation of trouble Maurice Tamman Herald Tribune, Sarasota mo.tamman@heraldtribune.com (941) 361-4904

2. Getting and Preparing Ballot logs and event logs Ballot logs and event logs Voter rolls and history Voter rolls and history Relevant geospatial data Relevant geospatial data

3. Ballot and Event Logs Identify voting systems Identify voting systems Diebold (touchscreen)Diebold (touchscreen) ES&S (touchscreen)ES&S (touchscreen) Accu-Vote (optical scanner)Accu-Vote (optical scanner) Identify different versions of the system. Identify different versions of the system. Be prepared to request these files immediately after an election. Be prepared to request these files immediately after an election.

4. Play around with old data Get a copy of logs from an old election Get a copy of logs from an old election These are used for auditing and recounting.These are used for auditing and recounting. Event log includes info for every machine, including errors.Event log includes info for every machine, including errors. Broken down by precinct and machine with ids Broken down by precinct and machine with ids Sensitivity can be set by election official Sensitivity can be set by election official At least, should include when the machine was set up, turned on and off, major errors, and a ballots cast. At least, should include when the machine was set up, turned on and off, major errors, and a ballots cast. All events have a date-time stamp. All events have a date-time stamp. Ballot log is a randomized list of all ballots cast.Ballot log is a randomized list of all ballots cast. Includes affirmative votes on each ballot and the precinct where it was cast and which machine was used. Includes affirmative votes on each ballot and the precinct where it was cast and which machine was used.

5. Voter Rolls State should have all counties’ rolls State should have all counties’ rolls The rolls data includes: The rolls data includes: Voter IDVoter ID NameName Age (DOB)Age (DOB) SexSex AddressAddress PrecinctPrecinct Sometimes Party AffiliationSometimes Party Affiliation

6. Voter History Contains all ballots cast in current county of residence Contains all ballots cast in current county of residence Date of ElectionDate of Election Type of ElectionType of Election

7. Watch out for When a person moves, previous voter history sometimes goes away. When a person moves, previous voter history sometimes goes away. Previous party affiliation not reflected in update when next release comes out. Previous party affiliation not reflected in update when next release comes out. Check updates for substantive changes and put in a historic table Check updates for substantive changes and put in a historic table

8. Why? Patterns of registrations Patterns of registrations Patterns in changes Patterns in changes Great look-up tool for finding voters Great look-up tool for finding voters Candidate backgrounding Candidate backgrounding

9. Maps Basic Geographies: Counties, places, zip codes. Basic Geographies: Counties, places, zip codes. Election Related Geos: Federal house districts; state legislative (senate and house districts); county; city; special districts; precincts. Election Related Geos: Federal house districts; state legislative (senate and house districts); county; city; special districts; precincts.

10. Tie them all together Make sure all the election geos are tied to basic geos. Make sure all the election geos are tied to basic geos. For Example.For Example. Know all the election districts, regardless of level, are within basic geos. Know all the election districts, regardless of level, are within basic geos. Know the precincts in each election geo. Know the precincts in each election geo.

11. Why? Pre-Election: Pre-Election: Demographics of voters in any election geos.Demographics of voters in any election geos. Voting tendencies in any election geos.Voting tendencies in any election geos. Post-Election: Post-Election: Tie precinct results to particular electionsTie precinct results to particular elections See how results influenced by results in very small geographies.See how results influenced by results in very small geographies.

12. Bring it all together Money isn’t just about individuals Post Election: Post Election: Ballot data gives a real picture of the voting pattern on election day.Ballot data gives a real picture of the voting pattern on election day. Ballot data shows how effective was the money spent on voting patterns down the ballot.Ballot data shows how effective was the money spent on voting patterns down the ballot. Ballot and event logs will be the key to explaining what happened when an election (in Florida) blows up.Ballot and event logs will be the key to explaining what happened when an election (in Florida) blows up. Pre Election: Pre Election: Where the money is being collected and spent and the voting demographics of those areas.Where the money is being collected and spent and the voting demographics of those areas. Are there similarities in the places where money is spent and collected?Are there similarities in the places where money is spent and collected?