This tab allows you to visualize the effect of adding or removing voting equipment for polling location for a selected range of in-person voter turnout. To plot the wait time of your selected system:
  1. Choose your X-Axis parameter. The other input parameters will be depicted with either separate graphs or separate curves below in the Resource Wait Times panel.
  2. Choose your Y-Axis parameter in order to plot either the average or maximum voter wait time. Your corresponding Wait Time Upper Limit set in the Voting Process Settings tab will be depicted with the black maximum allowable wait line on the plots.
  3. Choose your ranges for the input parameters using the sliding scales.

Once your settings are updating, the plots below will populate to depict voter wait time based on your chosen input parameters. The various plots will help you identify favorable resource allocations for the selected voter turnouts, which will be depicted by lines that fall below or closest to your upper wait limit (i.e., the black horizontal line on the plot).

Resource Allocation Wait Times

This Pocket Guide will allow you to visualize, understand, and plan for the effects of voting equipment resource allocation, voter turnout, and voting process type on voter wait times. Adjust the parameters in the left panels in order to see updated results and suggestions in the corresponding right panels.

It is recommended that you begin with the Voting Process Settings tab, as the parameters set here will affect the results in subsequent tabs.

Considerations for Use
The wait times presented throughout this application reflect the total wait at all points throughout the voting process inlcuding potential waits at check-in, ballot marking, and ballot scanning. However, if your system allows queues only at check-in, the wait time estimates likely capture the wait expected for your system (i.e., the voters wait the same duration regardless of queue location). Preferred upper limits on wait time can be increased on the Voting Process Settings tab when only partial wait times are of interest.

There are some scenarios that this application will not be able to accurately represent. These include systems with additional voting processes (e.g., ballot receipt stations, pre-check-in processes), equipment issues (e.g., a processing time dramatically increases), or other factors leading to processing delays (e.g., exceptionally long ballots).

The estimated wait times are generated from an entire simulated Election Day. If you are using this application during an election to determine additional resource requirements, utilize the Wait Time Calculator to identify which resource produces the largest decrease in voter wait time. This is likely the resource that will alleviate an existing line. With that said, consider how this increase in resources may impact other processes and utilize the Wait Time Calculator and Recommended Resource Allocation table to effectively balance resources. For example, an increase in check-ins may require an increase in voting booths and/or ballot scanners
This tab presents baseline recommended resource allocations based on voter turnout and ballot marking method. To utilize this guide:
  1. Select the Ballot Marking Method that best describes your voting process. Based on this selection, the Recommended Resource Allocations table below will present recommended resource allocations at several levels of in-person voter turnout. These resource allocations ensure that the average voter wait time does not exceed 30 minutes.
  2. Set your preferred Average Wait Time Upper Limit and Maximum Wait Time Upper Limit. These settings will not affect the Recommended Resource Allocation table, but will be used for the Resource Allocation Performance Plotting and Wait Time Calculator results.
*Note that all numeric values and resource allocations are determined from simulated voting processes utilizing real election data collected from systems utilizing electronic check-ins and ballot marking and scanning processes that reflect the selected Ballot Marking Method.

Recommended Resource Allocations
This tab allows you to input a specific resource allocation and expected in-person voter turnout to predict average and maximum wait times. Use the sliding scales to set:
  1. Number of In-Person Voters Expected
  2. Number of Check-in Stations
  3. Number of voting Booths/BMD
  4. Number of Ballot Scanners

Once you have made your selections, the Estimated Wait Time values below will update. Here you will see the average and maximum voter wait times expected based on your selections.

Estimated Wait Time
Orange text indicates that the wait time is above your set upper limit in the Voting Process Settings tab.
Green text indicates that the wait time is below or at your set upper limit in the Voting Process Settings tab.
*Please note, if a value appears as NA, then the selected resource combination and turnout level represents an infeasible solution.

Results and recommended resource allocations presented throughout this application are generated from simulation models describing a three-step, paper-based voting process (Voting Booth) and a two-step, ballot marking device-based voting process (Ballot Marking Device). Processing time data for check-in, ballot marking, and ballot scanning are generated from observations throughout Rhode Island from several elections between 2018 and 2020 (Voting Booth) and Los Angeles County during the 2020 presidential preference primary and general elecections (Ballot Marking Device). Voter arrival behavior reflects two peaks in voter arrivals throughout Election Day, with a large peak in the morning and a less intense peak in the afternoon (Figure 1).

Simulations were developed following a FIFO system that prevented passing on paths to voting equipment, assumed zero bulking and reneging, and allowed voters to queue for each voting step (necessary to properly identify voter wait times). Figure 2 presents a visual representation of the Voting Booth simulation model.

Via simulation, a total of 40,688 resource and turnout combinations were tested and processed. The simulated voter wait times were fit to regression models and subsequently optimized to generate minimum resource allocations per level of voter turnout. These recommended values were then validated against the simulated wait times and recommended resource values (presented on Voting Process Settings) and adjusted as required.
Figure 1: Voter Arrival Pattern

Figure 2: Simulation Model
Select a dropdown menu from the left side of this window to interact with this tool.