CORE evaluates the methods by which election budgets are established, tracked and funded; identifies the cost-management practices that can be adopted by EMBs; establishs a methodology for the comparative assessment of electoral costs with a goal of helping election organizers and policy makers to identify ways of managing financial resources, measure their relative costs of operations with other EMBs and reduce the cost of electoral events. 

The following information covers: 

• Working definitions of election costs;
• Election budgets and revenue sources for funding the administration of elections;
• Voter Registration Costs; and
• Cost Management Practices

The CORE Project uses two analytical tools to examine election costs: case studies and survey research. The case studies provide dynamic analysis of election finances, while the survey results report baselines and quantification; both types of report also share some common features. For example, both the surveys and case studies examined internal budget and financial procedures; addressed issues related to election technology; recommended the development of new cost constructs and analytical indicators; and concluded that it is possible for election budgets to be reduced.

Next: Working definitions of election costs