The Quick Count and Election Observation

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION
FIGURE 4-2:
CERTIFICATE ACKNOWLEDGING
VOLUNTEER ELECTION OBSERVER
55
LOGISTICS
A successful volunteer coordination team will identify, recruit, train and deploy
hundreds or thousands of volunteers. The logistics required to support and
supply this cadre with needed materials and resources are considerable and
daunting. Unfortunately, the costs and time needed to complete these tasks
are often underestimated. It is not unusual for quick count sponsors to be
forced to scale back their estimates (and their sample sizes) when the enormity
and complexity of these tasks become apparent.
The work of a logistics officer is generally divided into two areas: 1) making
travel arrangements for staff and volunteers; and 2) procuring and distributing
materials and supplies. During the recruiting and training phases of the
quick count project, there is a great deal of work to be done arranging travel
for staff, including transportation, meals and lodging. As the election draws
near, however, the logistics officer can be overwhelmed with the task of supplying
the network with its various material needs, including:
• basic office supplies and equipment;
• training materials;
• money or reimbursement to cover national, regional and local organizing
and training costs;
• election day per diem;
• election day forms, checklists;
• communications equipment such as telephones, radios, facsimiles; and
• data processing equipment such as computers and printers.
While the volunteer coordinator will often be the primary contact person for
regional and local leaders and volunteers, she or he must count on the logistics
officer to take care of local and logistical support.