Senate Rules Committee Holds Hearing on Improving Election Data Collection
Press Release
The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration heard testimony today from election experts on using election data collection to improve how elections are conducted across the country.
"Without concrete data to guide us, we are often simply taking our best shot at the dartboard of election reforms," Schumer said. "While we have heard about great suggestions for reform, the starting place must be developing a solid understanding of what is happening in polling places across the country on Election Day."
The Presidential Commission on Election Administration's report highlighted the need for improved data collection in the elections field. The witnesses testified about the broad issues of election data collection, highlighted leaders in the field, and discussed the important role the Election Assistance Commission can and should play in improving the collection and use of election data.
The panel of witnesses includes Heather Gerken, J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law, Yale Law School; Charles Stewart III, Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Kevin Kennedy, Director and General Counsel, Wisconsin Government Accountability Board; David Becker, Director of Elections Initiatives, The Pew Charitable Trusts and Justin Riemer, a former Deputy Secretary and Governor's Confidential Policy Advisor at the Virginia State Board of Elections.
This marks the fourth hearing in a series in which Schumer has explored ways of improving election administration. The first was held on February 12, 2014, when the committee heard testimony from the bipartisan co-chairs of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. The second was held on March 12, 2014, and examined ways to use technology to streamline and improve elections with online voter registration and electronic pollbooks. The third was held on April 9, 2014 when the committee discussed programs designed to improve the quality of the voting lists and expand the number of registered voters.
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