"Democrats unveil new data program to boost voter registration"

Democrats unveil new data program to boost voter registration

By Zachary Roth at MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/democrats-unveil-new-software-voter-registration

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Democrats are rolling out a new program that uses sophisticated data analysis to identify the neighborhoods that are ripest for registering new voters—potentially making the party’s registration drives far more effective. The effort underlines Democrats’ growing focus on bringing new voters into the process, with the party’s chances for electoral success increasingly hinging on boosting turnout.

Thursday morning, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced the Arbor Project, named for its focus on the grassroots. DNC officials plan to showcase the project Saturday in meetings with national and state party leaders.

“The goal of the Arbor Project is simple – to empower campaigns, grassroots partners and state parties to run registration programs based on the most accurate and up-to-date data available, and arm new and current voters with the information they need to cast their ballot,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who chairs the DNC.

Here’s what that means: Through the project, campaigns and state parties will have access to data showing them not just the number of currently unregistered potential Democrats in a given precinct, but also the expected vote gain that a registration drive in that precinct would provide. They could also look at a “density index” that rates the neighborhood’s suitability for door-to-canvassing operations, so as to avoid wasting resources by sending volunteers into difficult-to-canvass areas where houses are far apart.




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