Using GIS to Improve Accuracy and Efficiency in Election Administration

In addition to managing voter registration and voting, election administrators in many local jurisdictions are responsible for dividing voters into precincts. This process requires election administrators to often use data from the Census and sophisticated Geographic Information Systems software for mapping. The process of redistricting presents a variety of challenges ranging from the technical use of the software to considering the different political boundaries that voters must be incorporated into. Discussed are the challenges of redistricting and a potential strategy to address the challenges and limitations.