Resources > AVR Implementation Best Practices for Election Officials

AVR Implementation Best Practices for Election Officials

Voting Operations

Best practices on ways election officials can effectively manage automatic voter registration systems.

table of contents

Automatic Voter Registration systems reduce administrative burden for eligible citizens to register to vote and update their voter records when their information changes.

There are a few simple steps election officials can take to help test a new AVR system prior to its launch, ensure its ongoing effectiveness, and maintain close collaboration with designated AVR agencies.

The Institute for Responsive Government created this tool as part of the US Alliance for Election Excellence.

What you’ll need

Colleagues whose responsibilities include voter registration and data monitoring
A copy of your current voter registration confirmation notice
The AVR implementation best practices for Election Officials guide

Getting started

This resource provides election officials with proactive steps they can take to test a new AVR system prior to its launch, ensure its ongoing effectiveness, and maintain close collaboration with designated AVR agencies. These systems can help ensure a robust and error-free AVR system that increases voting access and election security.

It also provides a sample AVR notice that election officials can use as part of their systems.
Access AVR implementation best practices for Election Officials guide here.

Using the tool

This guide is divided into 4 best practices that provide election officials with steps they can take to test a new AVR system. Those categories include:

Proactive data monitoring and review
Process alignment
Error reporting and resolution
AVR notice design

Customizing for your office

Any tips for customizing this resource for my office?

This guide includes best practices for ensuring data accuracy in automatic voter registration systems. Consider your relationships with your local AVR agencies and try to align those with your office’s best practices.

This resource also provides a sample AVR notice that you can customize to fit your specific jurisdiction’s needs.

How do I know if this resource is helping?

You’ll know that this resource is helping if you’re experiencing a minimal amount of error when operating your automatic voter registration systems.

Which Standards of Excellence does this resource support?

Voting Operations

Which Values of Excellence does this resource support? Why?

Values for the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence define our shared vision for the way election departments across the country can aspire to excellence. These values help us navigate the challenges of delivering successful elections and maintaining our healthy democracy.

Alliance values are nonpartisan and designed by local election officials, designers, technologists and other experts to support local election departments.

You may find this tool especially helpful for this Value:

High integrity. Ensuring data accuracy in automatic voter registration systems increases voting access and election security.

To learn more about the Values for Election Excellence, and to see the full list, visit the Alliance website.

Sharing feedback

How was this resource developed?

This resource has been put into practice by at least one jurisdiction. Share your experience with this resource and improve it for your peers by reaching out to support@ElectionExcellence.org.

How do I stay in touch?

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Have a specific idea, piece of feedback, or question? Send an email to support@ElectionExcellence.org