White Papers

This report looks at what best practices from a sample of peer nations that states (or the federal government) should consider adopting, including greater centralization, improved data sharing operations, regularized and timely voter contact, and the selective targeting of unregistered populations.

Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) programs are most often associated with motor-voter programs at state DMVs across the nation. But is that the only government agency where AVR could work? This paper explores alternative government agencies where current infrastructures would support forms of AVR.

For decades, there have been resounding issues with funding elections across the country. Outside of lack of federal funding for elections, one of the main reasons for this is that the systems for financing the administration of elections are as decentralized and varied as the systems for conducting elections. This paper reviews experiences and elections budgets from 12 states to better educate those in the electoral space about the dire need for more funding.

Much of the discussion of elections and election laws centers on access to voting and election security, and the ostensible tradeoff between the two. This paper presents an alternative perspective for evaluating election administration policies, drawing from the administrative burdens framework.

Citizens want governments to make their lives simpler. At Responsive Gov, we believe governments should use available technologies to reduce unnecessary burdens and logistical headaches borne by individual citizens. To do this, governments can look to “Nudge Theory,” a concept of behavioral economics that encourages the use of thoughtful design choices—called “nudges”—to ensure that people can easily locate and select their preferred option.