Maps and Data Resources: Election Edition

Photo by Elliot Stallion on Unsplash          

At Community Commons, we’re big fans of maps and data, and we know many of you are too. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite mapping and data tools and resources related to the 2020 election. New resources will be popping up frequently, and we’ll keep updating this post accordingly. What are your favorites? Suggest a resource to have it included in this collection. And, check out our collection of voting resources here


An Equitable Election

As a community change-maker and steward, you can help ensure everyone has the right to vote. The importance of this moment and this election cannot be understated. Unfortunately, not everyone has an equal opportunity to cast their vote, and the system can work against them. Take a look at the resources below to learn more about voter suppression, redistricting, and gerrymandering in your community and state. 

screen capture of see say 2020 national map
See Say 2020
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by The Democracy Labs
Screen shot of Atlas of Redistricting
The Atlas of Redistricting
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by FiveThirtyEight
screen capture of the research explainer section of the MIT Election Data + Science site
Election Research Explainers
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by MIT
Screen grab of District Time Machine
District Time Machine
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by ACLU
Screen capture of the DRA 2020 homepage
DRA 2020
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Staff Pick!
Your Vote is Your Voice
Your Vote is Your Voice: A Toolkit for Youth Justice and Electoral Advocacy
Tool - Toolkit/toolbox
Brought to you by Youth First
Screen grab of Block the Vote: Voter Suppression in 2020
Block the Vote: Voter Suppression in 2020
Story - Written
Brought to you by ACLU
Collection of
Voting
Topic

Projections

As they say, “all models are wrong, but some are useful.” We’ve collected a number of resources below, each of which aim to project the outcome of the coming election. At the very least, these resources are engaging and fun.

Screen capture of interactive scenario map for 270 to Win
270 to Win
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Screen capture of the fivethirtyeight 2020 election projection homepage
FiveThirtyEight 2020 Election Forecast
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by FiveThirtyEight
Screen capture of the JHK Forecast homepage
JHK Forecasts
Tool - Data/mapping Tool

Results & Data

While we might not know who wins immediately, it is certain that the results will be poured over for years to come. Here are a few places to find information about historical election results. 

Screen capture of the Election Performance Index
Elections Performance Index
Resource - Map
Brought to you by MIT
Screen grab of MIT Election Election Data + Science Lab
MIT Election Data + Science Lab
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Community Innovators Lab
Voting and Registration
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by Census Bureau
Screen capture from the Princeton University Library's Election and Voting Data Guide
Elections and Voting Data Guide: United States (U.S.) and International
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by Princeton University
United States Election Project
Tool - Data/mapping Tool

Healing & Civic Muscle

The next few months will be an important time for community-building and increasing civic engagement— yes, even after the election. There is no doubt that many people, including people we care about deeply, will be saddened by the election results regardless of the outcome, and maybe even be very angry. Our nation is arguably more divided than ever and will likely become more so after November 3rd. But, if we hope to heal rifts, we have to embrace robust dialogue that cross divides and increase our sense of belonging. We need to commit to healing communities and raising hope for a bright future for our nation’s children.

Purple States of America
Resource - Map
yard sign that says I am so going to vote
Belonging & Civic Muscle after November 3rd
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Women engaged in discussion around table. Photo Stacy Wegley. A teal banner spanning the top of the image reads
Community Engagement
Topic - Possibilities

Register to Vote and Voting Resources

Whether this election or the next, we hope you—as stewards of change in your community—will help ensure all voices are heard. Here are some resources to confirm voter registration and understand what is on your community’s ballot. 

screen capture from Ballotpedia's Voting in 2020 page
Ballotpedia
Resource - Website/webpage
How to Vote
Resource - Website/webpage
screen capture of vote.org
Vote.org
Resource - Website/webpage
screen capture from voting and election toolkits
Voting & Election Toolkits
Tool - Toolkit/toolbox
Brought to you by American Library Association

 Related Topics


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Data Granularity

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Belonging and Civic Muscle

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Civic Engagement