{"id":4356,"date":"2025-05-05T22:01:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T02:01:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/urivotes\/?page_id=4356"},"modified":"2025-12-11T10:44:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T15:44:48","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero fullwidth   cl-has-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><div class=\"block\"><h1>About Us<\/h1><\/div><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/office-group-header.jpg);background-position:46% 55%;\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls-container\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-icon\" title=\"Accessibility controls\">Accessibility controls<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-motion-control cl-accessibility-control-hidden\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Pause motion\">Pause motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">On<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Play motion\">Play motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Off<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-contrast-control\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Increase text contrast\">Increase text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Standard<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Reset text contrast\">Reset text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">High<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-system-setting\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle\" title=\"Apply my preferences site-wide\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle-label\">Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n<div class=\"breakout\" style=\"background: #eeeeee\">\n<div class=\"content-width\">\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-menu-wrapper\"><nav id=\"\" class=\"cl-menu  \" data-name=\"about us\" data-show-title=\"0\"><ul id=\"menu-about-us\" class=\"cl-menu-list cl-menu-list-no-js\"><li id=\"menu-item-6985\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6985\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-6981\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6981\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/our-history\/\">History<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-6982\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6982\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/team\/\">Team<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-6983\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6983\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/our-partners\/\">Partners<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-6984\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6984\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/funders\/\">Funders<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><\/section>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"type-intro fullwidth\">The Engineering for Democracy Institute, formerly known as URI VOTES, applies engineering methodologies, including data analysis, computational simulation, and facility layout planning, to assist election officials in navigating the complexities of the voting process. Led by Dr. Gretchen Macht, an associate professor of Industrial &amp; Systems Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, the team\u2019s work has grown from a Rhode Island-focused project to having a national impact. EDI has a current cumulative impact that directly supports 35 election jurisdictions in 18 states, representing over 26 million registered voters. The Institute\u2019s research findings have been utilized by state agencies in 22 counties across 12 states between 2022 and 2025 alone.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"breakout\" style=\"background: #ffffff\">\n<div class=\"content-width\">\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engineering for Democracy Impact Map<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gifyu.com\/image\/b3KXn\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s12.gifyu.com\/images\/b3KXn.gif\" alt=\"EDI History Map\" width=\"120%\" height=\"\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"fullwidth\">At EDI, students gain real-world experience by collecting on-site data at polling locations, conducting simulations, and helping develop tools for election officials. Faculty and staff contribute their advanced knowledge in areas such as process optimization and technology to address issues ranging from equipment allocation to the nuances of mail-in ballot processing. This cross-functional model of engagement primes the next generation of problem-solvers while providing practical, unbiased solutions to enhance election administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"fullwidth\">The team&#8217;s research focuses on improving efficiency, such as reducing voter wait times, allocating resources effectively, and enhancing Election Day operations. The Institute&#8217;s work yields tangible results by helping election officials make data-driven, nonpartisan decisions that improve voter experience. For example, EDI has developed tools and guides for optimal resource allocation in polling places and worked with election boards on risk-limiting audits. The team&#8217;s collaborative, data-driven approach fosters a deep understanding of election systems and contributes to a more efficient and effective democratic process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/stem-for-elections-network\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-1024x256.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5968\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-1024x256.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-300x75.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-768x192.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-1536x384.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-2048x512.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-364x91.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-500x125.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-1000x250.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-1280x320.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1-2000x500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/STEM-for-Elections-Network-Google-Form-Header-scaled-lg-1.jpg 2560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.34%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.34%\"><a class=\"cl-button  center\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/stem-for-elections-network\/\" title=\"\">Join our Network<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  fitted\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/team\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/diagram-group-2x3-1.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>People<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">Meet the team<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  fitted\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/our-partners\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/bracelet.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Partners<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">Learn more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-card-wrapper\"><a class=\"cl-card  fitted\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/funders\/\" title=\"\"><div class=\"cl-card-container media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/blue-red-buckets.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container text\"><div class=\"cl-card-text\"><h2>Funders<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-card-container button\">Explore<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"breakout\" style=\"background: #eee\">\n<div class=\"content-width\">\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6280\" style=\"width:336px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b-300x122.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b-1024x415.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b-768x311.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b-364x147.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b-500x203.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b-1000x405.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/EDI-CheckMark-Full-sgc-cyc-b-1280x518.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Engineering for Democracy Institute<\/strong><br><br>University of Rhode Island <br>College of Engineering<br>Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering<br>2 East Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button  \" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/contact-us\/\" title=\"\">Connect<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/stem-for-elections-network\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5789\">STEM for Elections Network<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"4356\"><strong>ABOUT<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/team\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"6510\">Team<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools-2\/pocket-guide-project\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5191\"><br><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/funders\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"463\">Funders<\/a><br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/about\/our-partners\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"6001\">Partners<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools-2\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5077\"><strong>TOOLS<\/strong><\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/guides\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5078\">Layouts<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools-2\/pocket-guide-project\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5191\"><br><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/visual-simulations\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5198\">Simulations<\/a><br><br>Calculators<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5994\">TRAINING<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eac.gov\/election-officials\/election-processes-simulations\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5191\">Officials<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools-2\/pocket-guide-project\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5191\"><br><\/a>Engineers<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/k-12\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5998\">Teachers<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/research\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5061\">RESEARCH<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Projects<br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools-2\/pocket-guide-project\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5191\"><br><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/conference-papers\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5998\">Papers<\/a><br><br>Data<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>The Engineering for Democracy Institute may work with, and may accept funding from, individuals and organizations on all sides of the political spectrum. EDI\u2019s work is not and will not be influenced in any way by an individual\u2019s or organization\u2019s party affiliation or political perspective and it does not advocate for, nor work towards, the election or defeat of any individual candidates or the members of any specific political party or affiliation.<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-promo-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo   micro\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/givetoday\/\" class=\"cl-promo-micro-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo-micro-content\"><h1>Support Engineering for Democracy Institute<\/h1><span class=\"cl-promo-micro-text-link\">Give Today<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Engineering for Democracy Institute, formerly known as URI VOTES, applies engineering methodologies, including data analysis, computational simulation, and facility layout planning, to assist election officials in navigating the complexities of the voting process. Led by Dr. Gretchen Macht, an associate professor of Industrial &amp; Systems Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, the team\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3946,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-4356","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3946"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4356"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7082,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4356\/revisions\/7082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}