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Electronic voting systems were developed, in part, to make voting easier and to boost voters' confidence in the election process. Using three new approaches to studying electronic voting systems--focusing on a large-scale field study of the usability of a representative set of systems--we demonstrate that voters view these systems favorably but that design differences have a substantial impact on voters' satisfaction with the voting process and on the need to request help. Factors associated with the digital divide played only a small role with respect to overall satisfaction but they were strongly associated with feeling the need for help. Results suggest numerous possible improvements in electronic voting systems as well as the need for continued analysis that assesses specific characteristics of both optical scan and direct recording electronic systems. Keywords: election reform; voting technology; public opinion; usability; voting machines

Most of the studies of voter behavior have dealt with voter turnout, but few have looked at other aspects of voting behavior that could be linked to balloting method. A reasonable amount of information has now accumulated about the impact of the shift from polling place elections to voting by mail on turnout, rolloff, drop-off, differences in voting for partisan offices and referenda, and differences in straight-ticket voting. This article analyzes recent time series of voting data in Oregon to assess the impact of the shift in voting method on these issues. The analysis includes data at the state, county, precinct, and individual levels, including individual ballots. The results suggest new criteria for evaluating shifts from one voting method to another that may be applied to other electoral reforms, such as those that will result from the Help America Vote Act. Keywords: vote by mail; rolloff; split-ticket voting; electoral reform

The authors suggest global political ideology is significantly affected by racial cues, especially for 'radicalized' issues such as affirmative action, welfare, and crime policy. Group centrism and methodological pluralism are clearly crucial issues in American elections.

Researchers can obtain accurate predictions about election results by using well-designed exit polls. The exit polls taken during the Virginia gubernatorial election in 1989, however, were inaccurate. Research on this outcome indicated that face-to-face interviews resulted in the mis-reporting of votes. A black and a white candidate were running for governor, and some of the white voters may have felt pressured to give the socially desired response by telling interviewers that they were voting for the black candidate.