This article compares two prominent measures of electoral integrity—
- The Electoral Integrity Project's 2016 U.S. Perceptions Survey
- The Pew Research Center's 2014 Elections Performance Index
The analysis reveals several key findings:
Low Correlation Between Measures
Despite assessing similar concepts, these two widely-used measures show remarkably low correlation across state elections.
Multi-Dimensional Assessment
Both indices appear to capture multiple aspects of electoral integrity rather than measuring a single dimension. Their component parts reflect different conceptualizations.
Citizen Perception Linkage
The study examines how the individual indicators comprising each measure relate to citizens' own perceptions about their state's electoral integrity.
Recommendations for Researchers
Based on these findings, the authors provide guidance for future research:
- Measures should be clearly defined and validated
- Comparisons between different indices require careful consideration of conceptual differences
The article concludes by urging caution in using standardized measures to assess complex political systems.
