Basic Issues
Timely and accurate production of voting day materials is essential if voting station supplies are to be packaged and distributed effectively. Voting station supplies such as election forms are the interface with the voting public; their impression of election quality will be influenced by how easy it is for them to understand the materials they have to use.
To ensure this timely supply and functionality, it is important that there are strict specifications and quality control procedures applied to the large volumes of materials that are produced for use on voting day.
Production Capacity
Production capacity is an important factor to consider in determining the scheduling and location of materials production. Election form production, in particular, can put great pressure on available print capacities. Where production deadlines are tight, print scheduling also needs to take into account transport times. If voting station specific or electoral district specific items, such as voters lists, are produced centrally, those for the most distant electoral districts should be the first printed. (For further discussion of relevant infrastructure issues, see Transportation Infrastructure and Materials Production.)
Production Locations
Decisions will need to be made on whether materials are to be produced locally, regionally, or nationally--and for some items internationally. The packaging and distribution method adopted for voting station supplies is an important factor in this decision (for example, it would generally be unwise to produce materials at a local level if a centralised packaging methodology has been adopted). Where standard materials are required in large volumes, there are cost-effectiveness and quality control benefits in centralised or regionalised production, provided that there are effective distribution methods available. Local production can be more effective for controlling materials with substantial local variations, or for local use only.
Voters Lists
Voters lists will be the most used item in voting stations on voting day. They need to be designed in a format that allows speedy and accurate location by polling officials of all relevant voter information. Since they will be the basis for determining eligibility to vote, it is important that they are an accurate representation of the relevant section of the voters register. (For detailed information on voters lists, see Voters Lists.)
Voter Identification Cards
In many systems, voters are issued, either at the time of registration as a voter or at a date prior to voting day, a voter identification card that is the basic document to be presented at the voting station to prove an entitlement to vote. To be effective, the voter identification card must contain adequate safeguards against transferability. This could be through including a non-removable photograph, fingerprint, or other assurance of identity of the bearer capable of being accurately checked at the voting station. Cards bearing only the signature of the voter may provide less integrity assurance.
(For some examples of voter identification cards that have been in recent use, and of varying integrity, see El Salvador - Voter Registration Form and ID Card, Guyana - Voter Registration Form, Venezuela - Voter ID Card, Tennessee, USA - Voter ID Card, Uruguay - Voter ID Card, Uganda - Voter ID Card, and Nicaragua - Voter ID Card.)
(For a detailed discussion of the requirements, costs, advantages and
disadvantages of the use of voter identification cards. see The Voter Identification Card: Advantages and Disadvantages.)
Election Forms
Voting day is a massive exercise in information transfer. Much of this information records accountable actions, or needs to be recorded in a consistent manner to aid decision-making and transparency. Hence, there are likely to be significant numbers of election forms, no matter what efforts are made to minimise their number. It is important that election forms are simply designed and easy to understand. (The production of election forms is discussed in detail at Election Forms. For issues regarding the printing and supply of ballots, see Production of Ballots.)
Voter Information Materials
Production needs for voter information materials also have to be considered. Large quantities of these materials may be required, particularly if voter information guides are to be provided to each registered voter or household (see Information Direct to Voters). Arrangements will need to be made for production of information posters and pamphlets on voting procedures for use in voting stations, as well as a range of other signs and visual aids, such as voter direction signs and voting station location notices, that will assist voters. (For discussion of voter information materials production for voting sites, see Voting Site Information Materials. For further information on voter information program materials, see Voter Information, Information Direct to Voters, Information at Voting Locations, and Voter Information Requirements.)
General Supplies
A large range of general supplies will need to be acquired and supplied to voting stations, including:
- stationery items such as pens, pencils, envelopes, and note paper;
- packaging materials;
- emergency lighting supplies;
- items specific to particular voting procedures, such as ballot validation marks or multiple voting control supplies.
(For voting station needs for general supplies are discussed in detail, see General Supplies.)
