The Quick Count and Election Observation

C H A P T E R F O U R : B U I L D I N G T H E V O L U N T E E R N E T W O R K
42 Leaders can facilitate the work of the volunteer coordination team in three
ways. First, they should provide sufficient resources. This piece of the budget
should be carefully designed to allow maximum flexibility and mobility for
coordinators and trainers. Moreover, it should be possible for coordinators and
trainers to start their work at least six months before the election. Second,
they should strive to draw the random sample of polling stations early. If the
Recruiters should try to
establish an observer
network that reflects
society.
sample can be drawn before recruiting and training begins in earnest, the team
can target efforts to recruit observers in the precise locations needed. 1 Third,
recruiters should try to establish an observer network that reflects society. To
accomplish this, they should emphasize gender balance and seek representation
from a variety of ethnic, linguistic, religious, age and other groups. This
taps large numbers of people, facilitates national coverage and helps to establish
widespread credibility for the quick count. Moreover, polling stations or
voting lines in some countries are segregated by gender, which requires at
least 50 percent women observers.
If the statistical sample of polling stations for use in the quick count cannot be
drawn early, the statistician should provide an estimate of the number of volunteers
needed in each local area so that recruiting and training can proceed.
It is best to overestimate the numbers needed. In most countries, volunteers
who, in the end, are not needed for the quick count observe in non-sample
polling stations and report findings for analysis beyond quick count findings.
Building an Effective Quick Count Volunteer Network:
1. sufficient early resources—provide flexibility and mobility;
2. drawing the sample early—allows geographical focus and streamlines
expenditures; and
3. recruiting among all sectors of society—facilitates broad coverage
and promotes credibility.
The accuracy of the
quick count directly
depends on the quality
of the materials developed
to train volunteers
and collect data.
DESIGNING MATERIALS
It is critical to design clear, concise observer forms and training materials. The
accuracy of the quick count directly depends on the quality of the materials
developed to train volunteers and collect data. These materials ensure uniformity
in training and the reliability of information collected.
It is important for the volunteer coordination team to focus on materials design
as early as possible, certainly as soon as the law (or regulations) governing the
voting and counting processes are available. The most important pieces of
materials that the team will create are observer forms and manuals.
1
See Chapter Five, Statistical Principles and Quick Counts, for more information on this process.