How does a state modernize elections administration when staff and funding for new technology may be in limited supply? One way to access technology that can save work effort and reduce the risk of errors is to enshrine the use of GIS in elections in state statute.
At least eight states around the country have already taken this step, and NSGIC’s GIS and elections experts used their enacted statute to create model statutory language that is now available to election administrators, secretaries of state, geographic information officers, and elected representatives around the country.
The model statutory language, which can be accessed here, is intended to serve as a starting point for creating and enacting statute, with each state encouraged to adapt the language to best serve its needs.
Leveraging GIS technology in elections can save time, reduce the risk of errors, and contribute to transparency in elections.
For more background on NSGIC’s Geo-Enabled Elections project, click here, or, to access the project’s Best Practices Guidance for GIS in Elections, follow this link.