Electoral Integrity in America: Securing Democracy

by Pippa Norris (Editor), Sarah Cameron (Editor), Thomas Wynter (Editor)

Overview

Concern about the integrity of American elections did not start with Trump's election; flaws in procedures have gradually grown during recent decades. The contemporary "tipping point" that raised public awareness was the 2000 Bush v. Gore Florida count, but, the 2016 campaign and its aftermath clearly worsened several major structural weaknesses. This deepened party polarization over the rules of the game and corroded American trust in the electoral process. Disputes over elections have proliferated on all sides in Trump's America with heated debate about the key problems--whether the risks of electoral fraud, fake news, voter suppression, or Russian interference--and with no consensus about the right solutions. This book illuminates several major challenges observed during the 2016 U.S. elections, focusing upon concern about both the security and inclusiveness of the voter registration process in America. Given the importance of striking the right balance between security and inclusiveness in voter registration, this volume brings together legal scholars, political scientists, and electoral assistance practitioners to provide new evidence-based insights and policy-relevant recommendations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190934194
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/23/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	296
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Pippa Norris is ARC Laureate Professor of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney, Paul McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics at Harvard University, and Director of the Electoral Integrity Project. Sarah Cameron is Senior Research Associate and the Electoral Integrity Project Manager at the University of Sydney. Thomas Wynter is Senior Research Associate at the Electoral Integrity Project and Program Manager of the Perceptions of Electoral Integrity survey.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments List of tables and figures List of contributors I: Introduction 1. Challenges in American Elections 2. Election Laws 3. Voting Procedures: Inclusion versus Security 4. Diagnosing Electoral Integrity II: Challenges 5. Gerrymandering 6. Voter Identification 7. Fake News 8. Transparency 9. Decentralized Administration III: Conclusions 10. America in Comparative Perspective 11. Conclusions: Lessons for the Reform Agenda Selected Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

"Although several other books investigate the conduct of elections, Electoral Integrity in America is unique because it consider the U.S. in comparative context and because it addresses so many different aspects of the American election ecosystem, from redistricting to misinformation in the media. The diverse set of authors provide insights and raise questions about election integrity by presenting original data in a nontechnical way that engages readers. Electoral Integrity in America should be part of the ongoing national conversation about election quality."- Barry C. Burden, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"This book provides a timely, comprehensive overview of many of the pressing issues that continue to animate debate over election security, access, and integrity in America. Unusual among studies of American election administration and conduct, many of the articles help scholars and their students place American elections in a comparative perspective. The volume will be an important resource for scholars in election sciences, voting behavior, and election law."- Paul Gronke, Professor of Political Science, Reed College, and Director of the Early Voting Information Center

"This book is a provocative challenge to academics and practitioners who care about the state of elections in the U.S. While the term "electoral integrity" is often hijacked these days for ideological reasons, in this book it means more than just preventing voter fraud. It takes on the whole gamut of election policy and practice, often with a comparative perspective. You may disagree with some of the analysis, but it never ceases to engage with important questions in a serious way."- Charles Stewart III, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology

From the Publisher