ELOG-NEWLOGO
Login / Register

Introduction to Election Administration and Management Course

Brief Description

Standard Course Outline

  1. Course
    Prefix, Number, Title (Units) Course: IEAM 100 – Introduction to
    Election Administration and Management (3 units)
  2. Course Description:
    An introductory course providing a comprehensive overview of election
    administration and management, covering legal frameworks, institutional
    structures, and operational procedures in organizing and conducting
    elections. Includes lectures, case studies, and discussions on ensuring
    free, fair, and transparent elections.
  3. Course
    Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, Fieldwork, and Other Requirements: None
  4. Mode
    of Instruction ☐ Face-to-Face
    ☐ Hybrid ☒ Online
    – Asynchronous
  5. Course
    Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and Alignment with Program
    Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Course Student Learning Outcome Aligned Program Learning
Outcome(s)
1. Understand the importance of election administration and
management in democratic governance.		 PLO 1: Demonstrate knowledge of political institutions and
processes.
2. Familiarize participants with the legal frameworks governing
electoral processes.		 PLO 2: Analyze legal and constitutional issues in political
contexts.
3. Explore the roles and responsibilities of election
authorities and administrators.		 PLO 3: Evaluate the functions of governmental and
non-governmental actors in political systems.
4. Examine key components of election management, including
voter registration, polling operations, and results reporting.		 PLO 4: Apply principles of political analysis to contemporary
issues.
5. Analyze principles of impartiality, transparency, and
integrity in election administration.		 PLO 5: Assess ethical dimensions of political behavior and
decision-making.
6. Discuss challenges and best practices in conducting
elections, including voter education, security, and dispute resolution.		 PLO 6: Identify challenges and propose solutions in political
contexts.
7. Identify strategies for improving the efficiency,
inclusiveness, and credibility of electoral processes.		 PLO 7: Develop strategies for effective political engagement and
advocacy.

Subject Matter Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Election
Administration

  • Significance
    of elections in democratic societies (SLO 1)
  • Electoral
    cycle and key stages of election administration (SLO 4)
  • Legal
    frameworks and constitutional provisions governing elections (SLO 2)

Module 2: Election Authorities and
Institutional Structures

  • Roles
    and responsibilities of election management bodies (SLO 3)
  • Structure
    and composition of election commissions/boards (SLO 3)
  • Independence,
    impartiality, and accountability of election authorities (SLO 5)

Module 3: Voter Registration and Voter
Education

  • Importance
    of voter registration in ensuring electoral participation (SLO 4)
  • Methods
    and mechanisms for voter registration (SLO 4)
  • Voter
    education campaigns and outreach strategies (SLO 6)

Module 4: Polling Operations and Election Day
Procedures

  • Setup
    and management of polling stations (SLO 4)
  • Recruitment
    and training of election officials (SLO 3)
  • Security
    measures and safeguards during election day (SLO 5)

Module 5: Ballot Design, Voting Technology,
and Counting Procedures

  • Principles
    of ballot design and layout (SLO 4)
  • Introduction
    to electronic voting systems and their implications (SLO 4)
  • Vote
    counting procedures, tabulation, and results reporting (SLO 4)

Module 6: Election Integrity and Transparency

  • Ensuring
    transparency and integrity in the electoral process (SLO 5)
  • Measures
    to prevent electoral fraud, malpractice, and interference (SLO 5)
  • Electoral
    observation, monitoring, and oversight mechanisms (SLO 3)

Module 7: Challenges and Best Practices in
Election Administration

  • Common
    challenges faced by election administrators (SLO 6)
  • Best
    practices for addressing logistical, legal, and operational issues (SLO 7)
  • Case
    studies and lessons learned from past elections (SLO 6)

Module 8: Innovations and Future Trends in
Election Administration

  • Emerging
    trends in election technology, voter engagement, and participation (SLO 7)
  • Innovations
    in voter registration, polling operations, and results management (SLO 7)
  • Opportunities
    and challenges for the future of election administration (SLO 7)

Recommended
Texts

  • “Election
    Administration and Management” by R. Michael Alvarez and Thad E. Hall
  • “The
    International IDEA Handbook of Electoral System Design” edited by Andrew
    Reynolds

Assessments

Assessment Description Linked to SLO(s) Required?
Quiz on the Importance of Election Administration in Democratic
Governance		 SLO 1 Yes
Quiz on Legal Frameworks SLO 2 Yes
Quiz on Roles and Responsibilities of Election Authorities SLO 3 Yes
Quiz on Voter Registration and Voter Education SLO 4 Yes
Quiz on Polling Operations and Election Day Procedures SLO 4 Yes
Quiz on Ballot Design, Voting Technology, and Counting
Procedures		 SLO 4 Yes
Quiz on Election Integrity and Transparency SLO 5 Yes
Quiz on Challenges and Best Practices in Election Administration SLO 6 Yes
Quiz on Innovations and Future Trends in Election Administration SLO 7 Yes

 

Selected Instructor’s Bibliography

  • Alvarez,
    R. Michael, and Thad E. Hall. “Election Administration and
    Management.” ABC-CLIO, 2012.
  • Reynolds,
    Andrew (Ed.). “The International IDEA Handbook of Electoral System
    Design.” International Institute for Democracy and Electoral
    Assistance, 2018.

 

Enroll Here