Thursday, February 05, 2026
Question
Why might Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) data differ from other sources?
Answer
- Variation in Reporting Practices: States and localities use a range of methods for collecting and reporting election data. Although EAVS offers standardized definitions and formats, variations in local data systems and procedures may result in differences in reporting.
- Missing or Incomplete Data: Certain jurisdictions may be unable to provide comprehensive data for each question. The EAVS employs “casewise deletion,” a method that calculates percentages solely from those jurisdictions that have responded to a particular question. While this approach yields more accurate percentages based on the number of reporting jurisdictions, the results may differ from those obtained through other sources.
- Different Methodologies Across Sources: Other sources of election data may use different definitions, sampling techniques, or timeframes, leading to differences in reported data.