Political Data & Technology

Bins of signs are seen at an election office in San Antonio, Texas. The first primaries of the 2018 elections are less than a month away, and the Department of Homeland Security held a classified briefing last week to further explain voter system threats

Politics & Government

Election Chiefs 'Straddle The Line Between Sounding The Alarm And Being Alarmist'

8:50am February 19, 2018

by Miles Parks

State election officers from all over the country met in Washington, D.C. this weekend, and received a classified intelligence briefing on threats from foreign adversaries.

People gather for a memorial one day after the deadly shooting in Parkland, Fla. Experts warn that Russians are exploiting the tragedy on social media.

As An American Tragedy Unfolds, Russian Agents Sow Discord Online

1:55pm February 16, 2018

by Geoff Brumfiel

On Twitter, Russian trolls, bots and influencers are seeking to deepen divides after the latest school shooting.

A man with a set of maps heads to a federal courthouse in San Antonio last year for a redistricting trial. Texas is one of three states with cases before the Supreme Court in redistricting.

Where Redistricting Fights Stand Across The Country

7:30am February 15, 2018

by Domenico Montanaro

Here's your guide to the state of redistricting in six key states. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide three major cases this term that could determine how districts are drawn for the next decade.

U.S. Election Assistance Commission staffer Brian Hancock talks about how election systems have become increasingly complicated in recent years, making them more vulnerable to attack.

Cybertraining Election Officials For This Year's Voting

9:18pm February 03, 2018

by Pam Fessler

Varying levels of preparedness were on display at an Orlando meeting between Florida election officials and staffers from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

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Anne Milgram: How Can Smarter Statistics Help Us Fight Crime?

9:39am January 26, 2018

by NPR/TED Staff

As New Jersey Attorney General, Anne Milgram transformed the most dangerous city in her state. She changed a criminal justice system based on gut and instinct to one supported by data and statistics.

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Mona Chalabi: How Can We Tell The Good Statistics From The Bad Ones?

9:37am January 26, 2018

by NPR/TED Staff

We need statistics to make fair policy decisions, but there are a lot of bad stats out there. Data journalist Mona Chalabi says you need skepticism and a list of questions to face any dubious stat.

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Cathy O'Neil: Do Algorithms Perpetuate Human Bias?

9:30am January 26, 2018

by NPR/TED Staff

Mathematician Cathy O'Neil says algorithms embed existing bias into code — with potentially destructive outcomes. Everyone should question their fairness, not just computer scientists and coders.

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Pennsylvania Supreme Court Strikes Down Voting Map

7:07pm January 22, 2018

by Emily Previti

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court found the state's congressional districts violate the Pennsylvania Constitution. The court demanded they be redrawn.

A voter fills out a ballot at the Hamilton County Board of Elections in Cincinnati.

Trump Official On Russian Hacking: 'A National Security Issue'

8:14am January 12, 2018

by Pam Fessler

Rather than downplay the threat of Russian interference in American elections, administration and state officials are cooperating to safeguard future votes.

President Trump, flanked by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Vice President Pence, speaks during the first meeting of his Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in July.

Trump Dissolves Controversial Election Commission

8:45pm January 03, 2018

by Jessica Taylor

The president has claimed, without evidence, that as many as 5 million illegal votes were cast in the 2016 presidential election. The commission had been mired in legal battles.