Methodology
Transparency is a core editorial principle. This page describes how we conduct research, where our data comes from, and what our limitations are.
Research Standards
Every publication from The Voting Institute follows these standards:
- Sources cited. Claims of fact are attributed to specific sources — statutes, academic papers, survey data, or primary documents.
- Methodology described. Every study includes a methodology section explaining how data was collected, what analytical methods were used, and what assumptions were made.
- Limitations disclosed. We state what our research does not cover, where sample sizes are small, and where conclusions should be treated as preliminary.
- Conflicts noted. Our relationship with Vote.Direct is disclosed in every publication. Where a finding relates to a product or service offered by our sponsor, we note the connection.
Data Sources
Our research draws on several categories of data:
Public Records
State statutes, administrative codes, and published regulations governing elections in community associations, nonprofits, and other organizations.
Academic Literature
Peer-reviewed research on voting theory, social choice theory, and electoral systems from journals in political science, economics, and operations research.
Industry Data
Reports from the Community Associations Institute (CAI), the Foundation for Community Association Research, state regulatory agencies, and governance technology providers.
Original Analysis
Where existing data is insufficient, we conduct original analysis — such as modeling voting outcomes under different methods or surveying governance practitioners.
Analytical Methods
Depending on the research question, we use:
- Comparative analysis — examining how different voting methods perform under identical preference profiles.
- Regulatory analysis — systematic review of state-by-state legal frameworks governing organizational elections.
- Cost modeling — quantitative analysis of election administration costs across methods and community sizes.
- Outcome simulation — modeling election results under different voting systems to illustrate how method design affects outcomes.
Corrections Policy
When we identify errors in published research, we correct them promptly and transparently. Corrections are noted at the top of the affected publication with a description of what changed and when. If you believe you have found an error in our work, please contact us at [email protected].