An Exploratory Study Elected and Appointed Clerks’ Perceptions for Improving Voter Education

Abstract

This qualitative study collected and examined the perceptions of elected and appointed clerks in California, Illinois, and Michigan on how they perceived existing voter education programs could be improved. This study was based on the general systems theory framework to understand how the resources, output, and outcomes impact the effectiveness of voter education programs. The data were collected through an online survey and semistructured interviews, and themes were labeled employing inductive, deductive, and in vivo coding. The study found that clerks used several communication approaches and methods to educate voters. There were clerks who perceived that voter education programs could be improved to be more effective in increasing electoral participation. However, some clerks perceived voter apathy and misinformation to deter voter education programs and depress electoral participation.