From a recent article written by Benjamin Freed from State Scoop:
A group of state-government mapping officials, election directors and academics is trying to eliminate future situations like those that transpired in Virginia and Georgia by encouraging states to make better use of geospatial information systems when drawing up voting precincts and legislative districts. The Geo-Enabled Elections project, as the effort is known, can ensure people are voting in the races where they actually live and help restore citizens’ faith in the democratic process.
You can find more at on the Geo-Enabled Elections project website here. The project is organized and supported by the National States Geographic Information Council and that web link has plenty of detailed information about the technology and the strategy being pursued. Here is just a taste:
When complete, a full GIS integration with a state election management system creates a map-based model of all the geographic features that interact in the election process and its results: district, precinct and ballot area boundaries; voter residence locations; polling places and drop-off locations; and address-based presentation of elected officials. The GIS digital model is expected to significantly enhance accuracy, transparency, and efficiency of our representative government.
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