The Quick Count and Election Observation

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION
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CHAPTER EIGHT
The “End Game”
After promoting the quick count, building a volunteer network, training
observers and setting up a data collection system, election day arrives.
At headquarters, phones begin to ring, volunteers key in data, and analysts
compile reports. At this point, organizers celebrate the technical success
of the quick count. What is often underestimated, however, is the difficulty of
the work that immediately follows—managing and releasing quick count results.
The strategic use of quick count results is the most sensitive phase of the project.
The “end game” can also be the most controversial aspect of a quick count.
Who should have access to the qualitative information? Who should get the
projected election results? When and how should the information be shared?
This chapter suggests ways that groups might approach the end game. It
describes a process for developing data use protocols, discusses the most common
approaches to releasing results and describes specific activities that support
a data use plan. This chapter concludes with a few words on how organizations
that conduct successful quick counts work after elections to prepare for
the future.
The difficulty of managing
and releasing quick
count results is often
underestimated.
DEVELOPING A PROTOCOL FOR DATA USE
Many successful groups hold a pre-election meeting or retreat at which leaders,
key staff and advisors can develop a protocol for releasing quick count
results. Experienced groups with a strong, cohesive leadership facing a fairly
predictable electoral situation may need only a short time for such a meeting.
However, new groups struggling with internal factions and confronting a murky
and problematic election day may need an entire day in a confidential setting
to reach consensus on how, when and with whom to share quick count results.
In any case, groups usually proceed through several steps to arrive at a data
use protocol. They review the electoral context, revisit their original goals and
create a draft election-day schedule.