Participation History as a Planning Tool

Analysis of expected voter participation rates is a basic underpinning of cost-effective and service-oriented implementation of voting operations activities, in location of voting sites, effective allocation of all resources, and targeting of voter information services. Analysis of past trends is a necessary factor in voting operations planning.

In some societies, however, analysis of the past may not be a reliable guide. This would most likely be the case when

• there have been significant changes to the electoral system or voter eligibility rules;
• there have been major dislocations of population;
• there is uncertainty about or widespread distaste for the current political environment;
• undemocratic regimes are being disassembled.

In these cases, supplementation by current research on attitudes to voting is useful. However, great emphasis on quantities and flexibility in contingency resources will generally be needed in such circumstances.

Compulsory Systems

Electoral systems with elements of compulsory participation, with regard to registering as a voter (either as a separate registration or de facto from compulsory registration on a civil register) or to attending to vote, will require different methods from voluntary systems both in resourcing of voting operations and voter information focus.