A Nebraska engineer is taking center stage as she works to improve the voting processes for the upcoming elections. Jennifer Lather, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska's Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, is part of the Engineering for Democracy Institute. With the 2024 elections looming, her insights could lead to more efficient polling experiences for voters.
Back in 2020, when the pandemic was forcing many changes to daily life, Lather’s team deployed observers across the nation to discover what caused long wait times at polling places. During the last presidential election, about two-thirds of eligible voters turned out, the highest percentage since 1900. This surge of participants brought with it significant challenges, including excessive waiting times.
A report by the Pew Research Center highlighted the extent of the problem, noting approximately 37% of voters across the U.S. waited ten minutes or longer, with roughly 17% waiting for more than half an hour. Alarmingly, 6% of those voters experienced waits exceeding 60 minutes. The data revealed long lines were the primary reason for these delays.
Lather points out this pattern poses risks to future voter turnout. “When people face long wait times, they might just leave without voting,” she said. “If people have to suffer long waits, it can discourage them from participating next time.” Recognizing the worth of their findings, Lather and her team have made several recommendations aimed at enhancing the voting experience.
Understanding when peak times occur, identifying bottlenecks, and researching strategies to optimize polling layouts are just some of the initiatives being put forward. A study conducted by Lather and her colleagues, published in the Journal of Simulation, explored different polling site designs. They found arrangements where voting stations are positioned around the perimeter of the area could help to cut average processing time considerably.
“One of our goals is to plan effectively for potential issues, such as congested check-ins and the possibility of long lines, ensuring every registered voter can express their right to vote on Election Day,” Lather said. The layout of polling places has proven to play a significant role, and learning from previous elections can provide insights for the upcoming one.
Notably, the pandemic also influenced polling location choices. Traditional sites like schools and churches faced challenges maintaining safety protocols and distancing, resulting in changes to where voters could cast their ballots. Lather emphasizes the importance of using data-based decisions when determining these locations. Her research allows for anticipating challenges: “By analyzing past turnouts, we can gauge the capacity we need, allowing us to visualize different scenarios before making our final selections,” she explained.
This proactive approach aims not just to meet the needs of voters, but also to instill confidence in the election process. For Lather, the goal is clear: Create systems where people can feel safe and secure as they exercise their vote, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring everyone’s concerns are addressed.
Historically, Nebraska has been viewed as progressive when it pertains to its election processes. Lather's commitment to refining these practices ensures they remain adaptive to the public’s changing needs. With the next election approaching on November 5, it remains to be seen how these new strategies will shape the voting experience.
On the practical side, Nebraskans are encouraged to be proactive about their voting plans this season. For individuals who prefer early voting, Douglas County election commissioner Brian Kruse has laid out easy steps to help voters confirm their ballots are properly processed. He recommends checking the status of your early voting ballot at the official state website, ne.gov/go/votercheck, where users can verify their submission status by providing their name and county.
If any issues arise—whether their ballot is marked as suspended or rejected—they’ve got until 8 p.m. on Election Day to address discrepancies. Kruse reassures voters, saying, "If they submit their ballot correctly, it will definitely be counted." Voters who opt for same-day voting are reminded to secure their ballots at polling locations to guarantee they’re included in the final count.
All these efforts come together as Nebraska gears up for another election season. The impactful work of Lather and her team not only helps to modernize the voting experience, but also aims to encourage every eligible voter to embrace their civic duty and participate actively.
