Resources

Want to learn more about the electoral system in the United States?

These resources are a good place to start.

Podcasts explaining the U.S. primary system

Videos

Visual explanation of mechanics of ranked choice voting

All round reference websites:

National Conference of State Legislatures

compiles compendium of 50-state surveys, legislative databases, and summaries of all aspects of election systems

provides articles on best practices and policies for administration of elections

Ballotpedia

encyclopedic source of information about elections at federal, state, and local levels including election results, candidates and ballot measures

includes state-by-state overviews of voting policies regarding voter registration and voting by mail; New Hampshire page is here

contains overview articles about electoral systems by state, redistricting, ranked choice voting, and more

Research Reports:

American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century (2020)

The report is the result of an initiative begun in the spring of 2018 with the creation of the AAAS Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship. The goal was to consider what it means to be a good citizen in the twenty-first century, and to ask how all of us might obtain the values, knowledge, and skills to become still better citizens. 

In 2019, the Commission conducted forty-seven listening sessions in cities and towns around the country and solicited the stories and experiences with the democratic process of hundreds of Americans from different demographic and political backgrounds.

Shaped by those sessions, the Commission formulated a plan with easy to read recommendations accompanied by clear explanations grouped into six strategies:

The National Commission on Federal Election Reform, To Assure Pride and Confidence in the Electoral Process (2001)

Bipartisan commission created after the 2000 presidential election to improve election administration. It contains policy recommendations to ensure our democratic process:

■ Maintains an accurate list of citizens who are qualified to vote;

■ Encourages every eligible voter to participate effectively;

■ Uses equipment that reliably clarifies and registers the voter’s choices;

■ Handles close elections in a foreseeable and fair way;

■ Operates with equal effectiveness for every citizen and every community; and

■ Reflects limited but responsible federal participation.

Election reform groups:

National Popular Vote advocates for change in electoral college

Fair Vote advocates for ranked choice voting

States United is a bipartisan group supporting election officials

Brennan Center for Justice studies and recommends policies on voting systems, election integrity & security, and gerrymandering and representation

Protect Democracy advocates a return to multi-member Congressional districts with proportional representation