GIS Geospatial Allocation System

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

In many areas across the country, election districts are often filled with voters who are actually members of a separate district. The misallocation of voters in varying district not only results in unreliable elections, but it also causes the government to lose a great deal of money on election day. An unreliable electoral map causes voters to be given incorrect ballots that must be discarded. Additionally, incorrect or non-specific electoral boundaries causes some citizens to be misrepresented. In response, Maricopa County instituted a GIS Geospatial Allocation System to create a more reliable electoral system. Prior to implementing the new system, the GIS department maintained a bifurcated system; the digital mapping system and the traditional street segment system. Seeking a more accurate and efficient process resulted in the implementation of a purely spatial approach. Using polygonal spatial technology, the new system creates extremely specific voting districts that break down addresses into a latitude/longitude coordinate that corresponds to a specific city, school, fire, and voting district. Using the new technology, residents are more capable to turn out on election day. Additionally, the option to vote via the mail has become a more reliable and popular option as the geospatial technology ensures on-location delivery and security. Implementation of the new GIS system will have untold beneficial results for county residents. Aside from the fact that election results will be much more reliable and quantifiable, the new system will save the county roughly $1,000,000 every federal election cycle. The consolidation of electoral districts and the system that computerizes them will increase efficiency and accountability.