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American Politics Research
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Voters' Evaluations of Electronic Voting Systems

Results From a Usability Field Study

Paul S. Herrnson

University of Maryland

Richard G. Niemi

University of Rochester

Michael J. Hanmer

University of Maryland

Peter L. Francia

East Carolina University

Benjamin B. Bederson

University of Maryland

Frederick G. Conrad

University of Michigan, University of Maryland

Michael W. Traugott

University of Michigan

Electronic voting systems were developed, in part, to make voting easier and to boost voters' confidence in the election process. Using three new approaches to studying electronic voting systems—focusing on a large-scale field study of the usability of a representative set of systems—we demonstrate that voters view these systems favorably but that design differences have a substantial impact on voters' satisfaction with the voting process and on the need to request help. Factors associated with the digital divide played only a small role with respect to overall satisfaction but they were strongly associated with feeling the need for help. Results suggest numerous possible improvements in electronic voting systems as well as the need for continued analysis that assesses specific characteristics of both optical scan and direct recording electronic systems.

Key Words: election reform • voting technology • public opinion • usability • voting machines

American Politics Research, Vol. 36, No. 4, 580-611 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1532673X08316667
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