The Quick Count and Election Observation

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION
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The central points emphasized in this chapter have focused on the
design and the analysis of the qualitative part of the observation.
The most important points can be summarized as follows:
1. There are strong reasons for observer groups to pay close attention
to preparations for undertaking a qualitative observation that can
complement the collection of data on voting results in a quick count.
2. Qualitative observations are very systematic and reliable precisely
because they use the same general methodology, and observers, as
those for collecting voting results in a quick count.
3. The design of the qualitative forms has to begin with a clear knowledge
of the rules governing the administration of the election. The
structure of the qualitative forms should be designed by a team that
includes the volunteer coordinator, a trainer, an electoral law expert,
a data analyst and the executive director or a board member.
4. The qualitative forms should be short, and there are principles that
should be followed to ensure that the forms are useful and produce
reliable and valid data.
5. Preparation for the qualitative analysis should begin with the collection
of contextual data well before election day.
6. Analysts should develop an analysis plan before election day. That
plan includes the creation, testing and development of graphics capacities
that are approved before election day. And protocols for how,
when, and to whom the analysis team distributes the results of the
analysis should be established before election day.
7. The analysis of the qualitative data should be staged through three
steps that include: basic data scanning; the search for systematic problems;
and the analysis of whether the problems identified in the
qualitative analysis are likely to have any material impact on the vote.