Basic Issues
The wide range of materials and equipment needed for voting operations allows a considerable diversity of materials usage and production methods, from the simple typeset or photocopied form to production of integrated materials of considerable complexity. In planning materials and equipment requirements, the design and production capacities of domestic infrastructure are a major determinant. (For a discussion of the various types of materials required for voting operations, see Materials and Equipment.)
Capacity Assessments
In assessing materials production infrastructure capabilities, the following issues need consideration:
- the production processes available;
- the reliability of and maintenance facilities for production plants;
- the volume capacities of production facilities, allowing for other contracts that may be in progress at the time voting operations material is required, plant down-time, and start-up and testing periods for production runs;
- the locations of production plants in relation to transport infrastructure (see Transportation Infrastructure).
Effects on Materials Design
Materials production infrastructure capabilities will affect design of election materials. Often it will influence the basic procedures that are feasible to implement for voting operations. For example:
- Ballot paper security and authenticity procedures will be influenced by the ability to produce or obtain watermarked or security print paper.
- If full colour presses with sufficient capacity are not available, design of voter information materials or ballot papers with full-colour print will be an expensive import, if not an impossible method.
Similarly, production infrastructure will govern the ability to take advantage of possible cost savings, such as the use of disposable or semi-permanent lightweight voting station ballot boxes and equipment.
Effects on Supply Schedules
The amount of voting operations material required is dependent on the numbers of voters and is not easily manipulated. Production throughput capacities are thus a major consideration in materials design and supply scheduling. Low volume capacities will mean that:
- Supply of equipment has to be planned earlier.
- Production has to be commenced earlier.
- Where facilities are not available for emergency re-supply of forms, initial order quantities must be set high enough to accommodate all contingencies.
- Some warehousing facilities will be required for a longer period.
In important respects, production volume capacities need to be carefully considered when determining the election timetable and procedures, such as:
- Allowing amendments to voter registration data until close to polling day may increase accessibility but is not feasible if there is not the capacity to print revised or supplementary voters lists in time for distribution to voting stations.
- Timing of the close of nominations for the election has to be aligned with the ability to thoroughly verify, print and distribute ballot papers prior to the commencement of voting.
Printed Materials
Voting operations generate a very large quantity and range of printed materials, e.g., forms, ballot papers, voters lists, information leaflets, posters, signs. Many of these print materials have very short time frames between availability of information and end-use distribution of the material. Sufficient print capacity is essential for voting operations to be conducted successfully. Where print infrastructure is limited, rigorous print scheduling to allow progressive supply according to need becomes vital.
Sourcing
Tailoring materials design and supply timetables to production facilities available domestically can provide advantages with regard to control over supply and service, costs, and time frames for re-supply. Particularly in less developed countries, reliance on foreign production, while possibly enhancing short-term materials sophistication, can add considerably to costs, diminish control over supply and service, and induce reliance on unsustainable systems and less flexible arrangements. (For a further discussion of this issue in relation to less developed countries, see Special Considerations in Less Developed Countries.)
