Administering Elections: How American Elections Work

Since the 2000 presidential election, attention to and scholarship about American elections have exploded alongside myriad proposals for election reform. This book provides a framework for a broader understanding of this critical dimension of American democracy by providing a digest and analysis of contemporary American election administration practices. Using a systems perspective, the authors provide policymakers, election officials, candidates, observers, and scholars with insight about the interconnected nature of election administration reforms as well as insight about the institutional and legal constraints that influence election administration systems. A central feature of their approach is attention to the ways in which unintended consequences of changes in one part of a system can ripple through other parts. The book pulls together the vast array of changes that have occurred in federal and state law and administrative practice since 2000 including the range of variation in state and local practices on many current election administration questions.

Author: Kathleen Hale, Robert Montjoy, Mitchell Brown
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
Published: 08/19/2015
Pages: 211
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781137400413

About the Author

Kathleen Hale is Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the MPA Program and Graduate Certificate in Election Administration at Auburn University, USA. Her scholarship focuses on intergovernmental relations, election administration, and the role of professional associations. She serves on the Election Center's Board of Directors and directs the Auburn University faculty in the Election Center's CERA Program.

Robert Montjoy is University Research Professor and J.M. Deblois Chair, University of New Orleans, USA; and Professor Emeritus, Auburn University, USA. His involvement in election administration includes both research and practice - working with and learning from elections officials. He serves on the Election Center's Board of Directors and is an instructor in the Election Center's CERA Program.

Mitchell Brown is Associate Professor of Political Science and PhD Program Director at Auburn University, USA. Her scholarship focuses on empowerment processes for marginalized groups, including electoral strategies, and program evaluation for public and nonprofit organizations. She is an instructor in the Election Center's CERA program.