ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF VOTE CENTERS ON ELECTORAL BEHAVIOR: AN EXAMINATION OF INDIANA VOTE CENTERS IN THE 2007 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Some states have begun to experiment with Vote Centers as an alternative to precinct voting for the purposes of both encouraging higher turnout and reducing the burden on local officials for staffing precincts. This study is a preliminary attempt to shed light on the question of whether or not the use of Vote Centers, by themselves, increase voter turnout. Vote Centers in two Indiana Counties in the fall 2007 Municipal elections are studied. This paper examines the impact of Vote Centers on turnout by comparing turnout rates in the Vote Center counties with similar past elections in the same counties and with turnout in comparable counties which continue to use traditional neighborhood precincts as voting sites. Particular attention is paid to voter demographics and the competitiveness or races. We also report on survey results of voter reaction to the use of Vote Centers