{"id":7694,"date":"2026-07-19T23:27:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T03:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/?page_id=7694"},"modified":"2026-07-21T16:49:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T20:49:42","slug":"planning-for-elections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/planning-for-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning for Elections"},"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>Tools for Planning Elections<\/h1><\/div><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/ENG-20220210-NL-054-scaled.jpg);\"><\/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=\"tools\" data-show-title=\"0\"><ul id=\"menu-tools\" class=\"cl-menu-list cl-menu-list-no-js\"><li id=\"menu-item-7738\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-7738\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/planning-for-elections\/\">Planning for Elections<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-7736\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-7736\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools\/in-person\/\">In-Person<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-7737\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-7737\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools\/vote-by-mail\/\">Vote-by-Mail<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><\/section>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"type-intro fullwidth\">Long before the first voter casts a ballot, conducting an election involves numerous planning choices: estimating turnout, determining the number of machines needed, allocating storage space, and calculating staff and time requirements. At EDI, we develop tools that help election officials directly address these questions using data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"type-intro fullwidth\">The tools featured here are all publicly accessible, nonpartisan, and suitable for use in jurisdictions of any size.&nbsp;Collectively, they embody our mission: leveraging rigorous engineering and research to improve the voting process for both officials and voters, one informed decision at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-panel-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-panel  \"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/IMG_6647_professional-scaled.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/figure><article>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Turnout Trend Analyzer <code>(\u03b2eta)<\/code><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> Analyze current election turnout within its historical context to highlight irregularities in the pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Election officials enter historical turnout and participation data for various voting methods, such as by-mail and early voting, along with current election data. The tool then displays and analyzes that information against past trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Users:<\/strong> Election Officials<br><strong>Partner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/resources\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/resources\/\">Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/turnouttrendanalyzer\/\" title=\"\">tool (XLSX)<\/a>\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-panel-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-panel reverse  \"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/diagram-group-2x3-1-e1784517144248.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/figure><article>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voting Location Designer <code>(\u03b2eta)<\/code><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> Create 2D layout diagrams of in-person voting sites to support election preparation and management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Election officials use a standard asset library to produce consistent, to-scale diagrams that clearly show voting equipment and voter movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Users:<\/strong> Election Officials<br><strong>Partner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/resources\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/resources\/\">Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/votelayout.app\/\" title=\"\">tool<\/a>\n\n<a class=\"cl-button  \" href=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PLEJ-Operational-Forecasting-Tools-Precinct-Designer.pdf\" title=\"\">Quick How-TO GUIDE<\/a>\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-panel-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-panel  \"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/IMG_2310-graded.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"Three election workers seated at a table reviewing ballots and tally sheets in a warehouse.\"><\/figure><article>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hand Count Workload Calculator<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> Estimate the resources needed for manual ballot counts, whether for initial tabulation, audits, or recounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Election officials enter the number of ballots, their content, and available resources such as staff or time, and the tool models the counting process to forecast the workload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Users:<\/strong> Election Officials<br><strong>Partner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eac.gov\/election-officials\/hand-count-workload-calculator\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.eac.gov\/election-officials\/hand-count-workload-calculator\">US Election Assistance Commission (EAC)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/handcountcalc.eac.gov\/handtally\" title=\"\">tool<\/a>\n\n<a class=\"cl-button  \" href=\"https:\/\/www.eac.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-03\/Hand_Count_Workload_Calculator_User_Guide_508.pdf\" title=\"\">USER Guide<\/a>\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-panel-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-panel reverse  \"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/iStock-1437935870.jpg\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/figure><article>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Election Warehouse Space Estimator<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> Calculate the storage space needed for voting equipment and election materials, along with the related costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Election officials enter details such as the number of ballots from past, current, and future elections, the types and quantities of materials to store, and their storage approach. The tool then determines the number of boxes, pallets, and shelving units required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Users:<\/strong> Election Officials<br><strong>Partner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/resources\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/resources\/\">Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button  \" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/x6RC2TaCAgM\" title=\"\">DEMO<\/a>\n\n<a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/ballotstorage.app\/\" title=\"\">tool<\/a>\n\n<a class=\"cl-button  \" href=\"https:\/\/taketheplej.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Handout-Warehouse-Space-Estimator.pdf\" title=\"\">Quick HOW-TO Guide<\/a>\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\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 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\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools\">TOOLS<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/planning-for-elections\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/planning-for-elections\/\">Planning<\/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\/in-person\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"7632\">In-Person<br><\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/tools\/vote-by-mail\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"7725\">Vote-by-Mail<\/a><\/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\/officials\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/officials\/\">TRAINING<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/officials\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/officials\/\">Officials<\/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\/training\/teachers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/teachers\/\">Teachers<\/a><br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/learners\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/training\/learners\/\">Students<\/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>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Long before the first voter casts a ballot, conducting an election involves numerous planning choices: estimating turnout, determining the number of machines needed, allocating storage space, and calculating staff and time requirements. At EDI, we develop tools that help election officials directly address these questions using data.&nbsp; The tools featured here are all publicly accessible, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1568,"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-7694","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7694","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\/1568"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7694"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7791,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7694\/revisions\/7791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/edi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}