Hi, my name is Shirley and I’m an Ordinary Citizen.

Until recently, I didn’t know much about how elections worked.  But as I read more and more articles about voter suppression tactics, dismantled USPS sorting machines, and long lines at polling stations, I felt distressed and overwhelmed.

So I did what I always do when I feel overwhelmed and undereducated: I turned to data.

I’ve since learned that our electoral system is messier than I could have ever imagined, and there are an alarming number of ways our votes can get discarded.  But I’ve also learned that casting a vote is rooted in hope—hope for the progress it can bring.

I created this project to share what I’ve learned—and am still learning—about how to make sure our votes are counted.  It stems from my hope for a truly democratic election.

From one Ordinary Citizen to another, I hope you find it useful.