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Brigham Young University
Professors Monson and Patterson, along with Steve Mockabee at the University of Cincinnati, are studying the effectiveness of on-line poll worker training in two Texas counties given during the November 2008 General Election. Poll workers were randomly assigned to receive different amounts of on-line training prior to the election, in addition to the standard in-person training. The training was successfully administered in conjunction with HAVA Partners, who developed the training courses. A post-election survey was administered to all poll workers in the two counties to gauge the attitudes toward training and the effects of training on the Election Day experience. Objective knowledge quizzes were also administered to all poll workers at their in-person training prior to the election, and again after the election as an optional aspect of the post-election survey. Precinct-level performance has also been evaluated on several dimensions by the local election officials. Additionally, six focus groups were held in Ohio in December, and eight more are planned for February in Texas. The data collection process will be completed shortly, and the many dimensions of data will allow for a close examination of the effect of on-line poll worker training both subjectively as evaluated by the poll workers themselves, and objectively measured by the quizzes and precinct evaluations.