Electoral software
Encyclopedia
Electoral software is, simply put, software which is used in connection with elections; it can be for the purpose of winning elections, as is polling day or GOTV
software like EARS. It can be for the purpose of predicting elections, as in UK Elect, or for counting proportional representation
elections.
(GOTV) software is designed to store canvassing
information and correlate it with the electoral register
- this is in order to identify who is to receive targeted literature so that third parties may be squeezed, supporters of certain opponents be informed of relevant information, and other market segmentation. On polling day, the software may be used to sort lists of electors who have not yet voted, in order to boost turnout.
to record canvassing
statistics, plan polling day action and predict election results using the Richmond formula.
proprietary
electoral software until 2005, designed to store canvassing
information. It was brought in under John Major after his successful 1992 general election campaign.
In the unsuccessful 2005 General election campaign Conservative Central Office integrated Experian
'Voter Vault' data with BlueChip data, in order to try and predict possible Conservative Party voters that had not been canvassed. It was also used to run telephone canvassing.
Get out the vote
"Get out the vote" are terms used to describe two categories of political activity, both aimed at increasing the number of votes cast in one or more elections.- Non-partisan contexts :...
software like EARS. It can be for the purpose of predicting elections, as in UK Elect, or for counting proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
elections.
GOTV
Get out the voteGet out the vote
"Get out the vote" are terms used to describe two categories of political activity, both aimed at increasing the number of votes cast in one or more elections.- Non-partisan contexts :...
(GOTV) software is designed to store canvassing
Canvassing
Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with a target group of individuals commonly used during political campaigns. A campaign team will knock on doors of private residences within a particular geographic area, engaging in face-to-face personal interaction with voters...
information and correlate it with the electoral register
Electoral register
The electoral roll is a listing of all those registered to vote in a particular area. The register facilitates the process of voting, helps to prevent fraud and may also be used to select people for jury duty...
- this is in order to identify who is to receive targeted literature so that third parties may be squeezed, supporters of certain opponents be informed of relevant information, and other market segmentation. On polling day, the software may be used to sort lists of electors who have not yet voted, in order to boost turnout.
EARS
EARS, the Election Agents Record System, designed by John Jefkins, is a piece of electoral software used primarily by the Liberal Democrats and the Alliance Party of Northern IrelandAlliance Party of Northern Ireland
The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland is a liberal and nonsectarian political party in Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's fifth-largest party overall, with eight seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and one in the House of Commons....
to record canvassing
Canvassing
Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with a target group of individuals commonly used during political campaigns. A campaign team will knock on doors of private residences within a particular geographic area, engaging in face-to-face personal interaction with voters...
statistics, plan polling day action and predict election results using the Richmond formula.
BlueChip
BlueChip was the British Conservative Party'sConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
proprietary
Proprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
electoral software until 2005, designed to store canvassing
Canvassing
Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with a target group of individuals commonly used during political campaigns. A campaign team will knock on doors of private residences within a particular geographic area, engaging in face-to-face personal interaction with voters...
information. It was brought in under John Major after his successful 1992 general election campaign.
In the unsuccessful 2005 General election campaign Conservative Central Office integrated Experian
Experian
Experian plc, formerly known as CCN Systems, is a global credit information group with operations in 36 countries. The company employs 15,500 people with corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and operational headquarters in Nottingham, England and Costa Mesa, California, US...
'Voter Vault' data with BlueChip data, in order to try and predict possible Conservative Party voters that had not been canvassed. It was also used to run telephone canvassing.