The Quick Count and Election Observation
The Quick Count and Election Observation
The Quick Count and Election Observation
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THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION<br />
101<br />
CHAPTER SEVEN<br />
Collecting <strong>and</strong> Analyzing<br />
<strong>Quick</strong> <strong>Count</strong> Data<br />
<strong>The</strong> r<strong>and</strong>om sample is drawn, observer forms are developed <strong>and</strong> distributed<br />
<strong>and</strong> observers are recruited <strong>and</strong> trained. On election day, observers<br />
take up positions at assigned polling stations <strong>and</strong> get ready to collect<br />
<strong>and</strong> report the data. This chapter deals with the next steps. <strong>The</strong> chapter begins<br />
with a discussion of data reporting protocols. It explains how <strong>and</strong> when observers<br />
report data on the quality of the process <strong>and</strong> the vote count results. Some of<br />
the problems associated with information flows on election day, <strong>and</strong> practical<br />
solutions to those problems, are discussed. <strong>The</strong> chapter then examines the<br />
important question of how the recovered data are used, particularly with regard<br />
to the vote count. It considers the main strategies for analyzing data on vote<br />
totals <strong>and</strong> steps taken to ensure that the results released will be reliable. It concludes<br />
with a discussion of how <strong>and</strong> when quick count findings can be released. 1<br />
DATA REPORTING PROTOCOLS<br />
On election day, domestic observers usually make two reports. For the first<br />
report observers use a questionnaire similar to Form 1 illustrated in Chapter<br />
Six. Form 1 contains information about whether proper procedures have been<br />
followed during the opening of polling stations. This first qualitative report is<br />
made after the polling stations have opened, usually immediately after the first<br />
voter in line has voted. <strong>The</strong> second report comes from a form similar to Form<br />
2, also illustrated in Chapter Six. This provides qualitative data on the voting<br />
procedures <strong>and</strong> the closing of the polling stations, as well as data on the vote<br />
count. <strong>The</strong> common practice is for observers to report these data immediately<br />
after polling stations have produced an official result. In most cases, a polling<br />
station result is “official” after the polling station officials <strong>and</strong> the party agents<br />
present at the count have signed the public document that records the vote<br />
totals for that particular polling station.<br />
This chapter focuses primarily on the official vote data (Form 2), but there are<br />
broad issues of data reporting that apply to all observer reports. So, the place<br />
to begin is with general guidelines that apply to both the first <strong>and</strong> second reports.<br />
1<br />
Readers should refer to Chapter Six, <strong>The</strong> Qualitative Component of the <strong>Quick</strong> <strong>Count</strong>, for more<br />
detailed information on how qualitative data are collected <strong>and</strong> analyzed.