Managing Elections during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Managing Elections during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author: International IDEA
Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
Total Pages: 8
Release: 2020-07-19
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

Download Managing Elections during the COVID-19 Pandemic Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

In the midst of the extraordinary challenges and uncertainty stemming from COVID-19, decision-makers are under increasing pressure to determine how to manage the pandemic’s immediate impact on, and consequences for, the timing and sequencing of elections. These decisions cannot be taken lightly, as they could jeopardize public health and shape the state of democracy in their countries, states or territories for years to come. The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly challenged elections, making new and pressing demands on how they are managed. The main public health threat associated with elections arises from the requirement for voters to cast their ballots in person at a polling station, most often on a single day. Having to converge to polling stations and handle voting materials that have been touched by many others, while being confined in crowded spaces where maintaining a safe distance from others may be difficult has suddenly become a new challenge. By devising timely, appropriate and sustainable solutions, drawn from own or others’ experience, electoral democracy frameworks can be gradually strengthened to withstand undue pressure.

Managing Elections under the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Republic of Korea’s Crucial Test

Managing Elections under the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Republic of Korea’s Crucial Test
Author: Antonio Spinelli
Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
Total Pages: 8
Release: 2020-04-18
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

Download Managing Elections under the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Republic of Korea’s Crucial Test Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on countries and states as to whether to hold or postpone scheduled elections, amid controversies in either case. Striking a balance between these two choices is not an easy call. Should the fulfilment of the social contract between a government and its citizens come at the expense of endangering their health and lives? Or should concerns of exacerbating the outbreak as a result of the mass gatherings inherent to the societal ritual of voting, prevail over other considerations? This Technical Paper looks at the experience in the Republic of Korea which is one of the first countries to hold national elections under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elections during emergencies and crises

Elections during emergencies and crises
Author: Toby S. James
Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
Total Pages: 724
Release: 2023-05-08
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9176716279

Download Elections during emergencies and crises Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Elections often have to be held in emergency situations. The Covid-19 pandemic was one of the most serious emergency situations that the world has seen. The rapid spread of the virus presented a huge humanitarian threat—but also an unparalleled challenge to electoral stakeholders globally seeking to protect electoral integrity during times of uncertainty. This volume identifies how the pandemic affected electoral integrity, what measures were put in place to protect elections and what worked in defending them. It brings together a comprehensive set of 26 country case studies to explore how elections were affected on the ground, what measures were put in place and what worked. These case studies are of elections which took place in the eye of the storm when practitioners and policymakers were operating under uncertainty and without the benefit of hindsight. To learn lessons in a more systematic way, this volume also provides a thematic analysis of electoral integrity during the pandemic using crossnational studies. This provides the big picture for policymakers, practitioners and academics looking back at the crisis. The volume therefore seeks to contribute towards the future development of policy and practice. However, it does so by using academic research methods and concepts which enable greater confidence in the policy lessons, as well as contributing directly to the scholarship on democracy, democratization and elections. The volume includes 11 areas of recommendation based on the evidence collected in this volume to protect electoral integrity in any future emergency situation.

Pandemic at the Polls

Pandemic at the Polls
Author: Dari Sylvester Tran
Publisher: Lexington Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9781666933536

Download Pandemic at the Polls Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

In 2020, COVID-19 became a global pandemic devastating physical and mental health, social wellbeing, and the economic status of millions globally. Unforgettable images of death and the deep wounds inflicted on the livelihoods of employees and business owners were broadcast daily in the media; in contrast, less visible was the political fallout that threatened the rights of countless voters seeking to exercise their democratic rights under exceptional conditions. In the United States, the scourge of the pandemic came during a highly contentious presidential election year, where states were challenged to administer multiple elections in the context of changing public health mandates, critical supply and personnel shortages, and decreased election funding. More than three years into the pandemic, as the worst devastation from the virus seems to be nearing an end, what lessons can be drawn from this political moment to ensure that future elections continue to be resilient in the face of threatening circumstances? What reforms adopted in COVID-19's midst will remain - for better or worse? Featuring cutting-edge research from top and emerging scholars of election administration, both inside and outside of academia, Pandemic at the Polls is a must-read for elections scholars, administrators, and students of democratic elections.

COVID-19, Public Management, and Survival of East European Democracies

COVID-19, Public Management, and Survival of East European Democracies
Author: James W. Peterson
Publisher: Lexington Books
Total Pages: 183
Release: 2024-04-16
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1666925179

Download COVID-19, Public Management, and Survival of East European Democracies Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

COVID-19, Public Management, and Survival of East European Democracies centers initially on the development of democracy in fourteen states of Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on the distinction between the seven Baltic and East Central European states in the north and the seven Balkan states in the south. Examination of key events of the political history of the two regions reveals that a participant political culture as the anchor of democracy was more developed in the north than in the south. Important measures of democracy as well as election results during the 2020-22 period of the COVID-19 outbreak demonstrate and reinforce the same distinctions between the two regions. Further, this detailed study of public administration problems such as corruption, accountability, trust, and the number of deaths from COVID-19 also disclose that such problems characterized both regions but were more pronounced in the southern states. In addition, the rise of populism and authoritarianism injected severe challenges in the midst of administrative preoccupation with the many harmful effects of the virus.

Protecting Elections: Risk Management, Resilience-Building and Crisis Management in Elections

Protecting Elections: Risk Management, Resilience-Building and Crisis Management in Elections
Author: Sead Alihodžić
Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2023-06-22
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 917671649X

Download Protecting Elections: Risk Management, Resilience-Building and Crisis Management in Elections Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

When elections go wrong, they can contribute to political crises that undermine democratic processes and institutions, trigger violent conflicts and instability, and harm governments’ domestic and international legitimacy. Therefore, calls to protect electoral integrity against manipulation from autocratic figures, malicious foreign interferences, negative impacts from natural hazards, and technical and human errors are ever increasing. The main objective of this Discussion Paper is to outline the importance of and avenues for an increased use of risk management, resilience-building and crisis management methods to protect electoral integrity.

Adapting to the New Normal: Political Parties During Lockdown and Social Distancing

Adapting to the New Normal: Political Parties During Lockdown and Social Distancing
Author: International IDEA
Publisher: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
Total Pages: 35
Release: 2020-09-30
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9176713288

Download Adapting to the New Normal: Political Parties During Lockdown and Social Distancing Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

In several countries, political parties are stepping up their digital presence in the online world. This creates opportunities for political parties to reach a wider potential audience or membership base. Digitalization has been an ongoing process in political parties across the globe, and the current pandemic is likely to accelerate this process. This Primer highlights some of the mechanisms that are being widely used and can be adopted by political parties to allow them to continue to function or operate in times of social distancing and other contexts where restrictions on social gatherings are being enforced. It also presents practical options for digitalization and developing an online presence that parties in different contexts can adapt and optimize to respond to such restrictions, and ideas to support the transformation efforts that parties are undertaking.

Campaigns and Elections American Style

Campaigns and Elections American Style
Author: Candice J. Nelson
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 303
Release: 2023-09-29
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1000937763

Download Campaigns and Elections American Style Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

With new and revised chapters throughout, the sixth edition of Campaigns and Elections American Style allows academics and campaign professionals the chance to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 general election, and 2022 midterm election upended the campaign process and changed the landscape of political campaigns forever. Offering a unique and careful mix of Democrat and Republican, academic and practitioner, and male and female campaign perspectives, this volume scrutinizes national and local-level campaigns. Students, citizens, candidates, and campaign managers learn not only how to win elections but also why it is imperative to do so in a safe and ethical way. Perfect for a variety of courses in American government, this book is especially valuable to schools of campaign management and campaign professionals working at every level from the local to the global. Highlights of the Sixth Edition Covers the 2020 and 2022 elections with an eye to 2024. Examines changes to the campaign process as a result of COVID-19 and puts them in context with campaign traditions over time. Includes a new organization that moves campaign finance up front to emphasize the centrality of fundraising to successful campaigns. Offers more data to inform campaign planning and management, especially related to key topics such as the change in news media coverage, the growth and use of social media, the use of "big data" in campaigns, and changes in field and voting rules and policies.

Options for Ensuring Safe Elections

Options for Ensuring Safe Elections
Author: Quentin E. Hodgson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 94
Release: 2020-09-15
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781977405555

Download Options for Ensuring Safe Elections Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Voting and registration options can help ensure safe elections despite the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Each option has advantages; challenges; and different levels of risk regarding safety, integrity, access, and logistics.