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Election Statistics in the United States

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2013

Idella Gwatkin Swisher
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Extract

A valuable source of materials for the study of political behavior exists in the election returns that are lodged and compiled in the offices of state, county, and municipal authorities. An increasing number of studies have shown how fruitfully these materials can be used with a variety of types of correlations. The difficulties attendant upon anything like a complete collection of all of the electoral information for the entire country, however, have discouraged more extensive utilization of this valuable source of research data. The investigator who attempts to study political phenomena over a considerable area is now handicapped by having to devote much time and energy to the mere physical accumulation of statistical materials from a number of more or less adequate sources. The purpose of this note is primarily to show the present situation in regard to the collection and publication of election returns, and incidentally what can be obtained from each state. Secondarily, suggestions are offered regarding the urgent need for improvement in the situation and lines along which it may be sought.

Type
American Government and Politics
Information
American Political Science Review , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , June 1933 , pp. 422 - 432
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 1933

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References

1 Based on a preliminary surrey of election statistics conducted at the request of the Council for Research in the Social Sciences of Columbia University. It resulted from a suggestion (sponsored by Professors Arthur W. Macmahon and Joseph D. McGoldrick) that it was desirable to consider the possibility of the publication, under suitable auspices, of an annual and fairly comprehensive compilation of election statistics. An investigation was made, but temporarily at least the general situation has precluded further action.

2 An unofficial manual containing election returns is published in Maine. In North Dakota, the full report of the state canvassing board is published in a newspaper soon after the election.

3 Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

4 Oklahoma, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Indiana compile immediately after the election a list of elected officers and the state totals of votes. The latter three subsequently publish very adequate returns.

5 Most states issuing reports before February are those that issue special abstracts or reports dealing exclusively with elections. New Hampshire, however, has its manual ready by January 1, while Ohio (which confines itself to a publication dedicated solely to election returns) issues a voluminous report in July.

6 See p. 423 supra.

7 U. S. Code, Title 3, Chap. 1.

8 Vermont and Kentucky; complete data not obtained.

9 Governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, controller, surveyor-general, attorney-general, superintendent of printing, clerk of the supreme court, inspector of mines, superintendent of public instruction, and regent of the university.

10 Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

11 Delaware, Indiana, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Utah.

12 Maine, Virginia, and Idaho.

13 Arizona, New Hampshire, Oregon, Montana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, Washington, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

14 New York, Arizona, and Oregon.

15 Arizona and Vermont.

16 Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey (in Fitzgerald's Manual), New Mexico, New York (for governor only), North Carolina, Ohio (for governor), Pennsylvania (for president), Wisconsin (for governor), and Wyoming.

17 Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Montana, and Maine.

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