How were you selected?

You were randomly selected from a public list of registered voters in New Mexico.  To make inferences to the population of voters, we must use a random sample. Each respondent is therefore critical to the success of our study in making an accurate statement about New Mexican voting experience.

Who is the principal investigator?

Lonna Atkeson is a professor of political science and scholar engaged in a valuable study on the confidence of our election administration, experience with the election process, and facts and feelings about this year’s election. To address these questions, we need to ask voters about their vote experience and related voting context - the total election experience.

Our interest is in understanding the voting experience and helping to provide public policy information about attitudes toward election administration and election reform. Please feel free to visit my homepage to learn more about my work at http://polsci.unm.edu/people/faculty-profiles/lonna-atkeson.html and about our Center for the Study of Voting, Elections and Democracy at http://polsci.unm.edu/c-sved/index.html.

What are we doing with this data?

We are compiling the data in aggregate form to assist policy makers and scholars in understanding what makes for a positive vote experience and how voters evaluate the election and election administration process.  Also, our intent is to understand how voters respond to messages and how that influences how they vote and their voting experience.

These are important and fundamental research questions in democracies where elections are the way the citizenry sends messages to their elected officials and holds them accountable.  Because of concerns about our voting administration, the federal and state governments have spent tens of millions of dollars to update systems and passed legislation (the Help America Vote Act) to make for a more uniform voting system. These efforts are meant to increase voter confidence in the fairness and accuracy of the election.  For example, in response to voter concerns about electronic machines the government of New Mexico moved to optical scan paper ballots in 2006.  Our interest is in documenting and understanding how these policy changes are affecting the voter’s attitudes and opinions.

Do I have to take the survey online?

Yes. We prefer that you take the survey online.

How to reach us?

We can be reached with questions about the study at: at 505-750-2415.  Please understand that we have a high volume of calls and no staff.  We are happy to talk to you, but it make take us a few business days to return your call.  You may also email me directly at: atkeson@unm.edu.

Who paid for the study?

The study is being sponsored by the Bernalillo County Clerk.  We provide an executive summary report of the findings to the Clerk’s office (and the public) so that they get an accurate snapshot of voters’ experience during the election.