Q&A
Impact of voter roll accuracy on turnout statistics
1:53:17
·
118 sec
Michael Ryan explains how inaccuracies in voter rolls can artificially depress turnout rates. The discussion highlights the challenges in maintaining accurate voter registration data and its impact on perceived voter participation.
- Inaccurate voter rolls can make turnout rates appear lower than they actually are
- The number of eligible voters registered is described as a 'soft number' that affects turnout calculations
- Ryan suggests that out-migration from New York could be impacting the accuracy of voter rolls
- The conversation touches on the need for better mechanisms to update voter registration data
Michael Ryan
1:53:17
I just say one thing about that?
1:53:19
Sure.
1:53:21
That position that you take is accurate if the voter rolls of eligible voters are accurate.
1:53:32
So to the extent that there may be people on the voter rolls, anywhere, not only in New York City, but anywhere in New York State, that no longer belong there because they've relocated.
1:53:44
It is artificially depressing our turnout rate.
1:53:47
Right?
1:53:47
Because the turnout rate's a hard number.
1:53:49
Who come who shows up is a hard number.
1:53:51
But the soft number is the eligible voters registered.
1:53:57
So if that soft number is weak, then the turnout rate's gonna appear to be lower when it's not really lower.
Lincoln Restler
1:54:04
So basically what you're saying is if we can achieve universal childcare and reduce out migration from New York, then it will appear that our voter participation rates would be better.
Ben Weinberg
1:54:12
What what I one of
Michael Ryan
1:54:13
the things I think, you know, I would like to see on a state level, it's not a city it's not a city level, is a way to increase cooperation.
1:54:22
Because there's no mechanisms presently to increase cooperation between the states on sharing, voter data.
Lincoln Restler
1:54:29
It's a it's a good point.
1:54:30
We wanna make sure the data's accurate.
1:54:32
You know, I'm not, I can remember, I don't know, 6 or 7 years ago when we had some pretty darn significant issues of people being wrongly taken off of our rotor voter rolls,
Paul Seamus Ryan
1:54:43
especially in
Lincoln Restler
1:54:43
Brooklyn.
1:54:44
Bring that again?
1:54:45
I am.
Michael Ryan
1:54:45
I'm bringing it up.
1:54:46
2016.
Lincoln Restler
1:54:46
2616.
1:54:47
What did I say?
1:54:48
6 or 7.
1:54:48
So 8 years ago.
1:54:49
I apologize.
1:54:50
I'm old enough to remember.
1:54:53
So and it was that was not a fun experience for anybody involved.
Michael Ryan
1:54:58
What I'm suggesting is something different than than I'm talking about there's instances where people move to other states, And they're unlike, say for example, I'll put an old hat on, the interstate coop the the NCIC.
1:55:12
Right?
1:55:12
The interstate cooperation of sharing criminal justice data.
Lincoln Restler
1:55:15
Right.
Michael Ryan
1:55:16
Right?
