Who We Are

Election Data Services Inc. is a political consulting firm specializing in redistricting, election administration, and the analysis and presentation of census and political data with GIS (geo­graphic information systems). Election Data Services was founded in 1977 and has developed a variety of GIS and political information products and services for businesses, associations, and governmental organizations. The firm is based in Washington, D.C., and employs a staff of redistricting and election experts, GIS and database programmers, GIS mappers, technical writers, and research analysts.

Redistricting

Election Data Services’ involvement in redistricting dates back to the late 1970s and projects for the Houston City Council and the Illinois and Michigan Legislatures. Election Data Services has since provided redistricting software, databases, and data analysis, consulting, and litigation sup­port services to governmental organizations in more than half the states in the nation. Over the past decade, Election Data Services has developed software to assist states participating in the Census 2000 Redistricting Data Program-the Block Boundary Suggestion (BBSP) and Voting District (VTDP) Projects. The firm has developed software for the Federal Highway Administra­tion (FHWA) to distribute to 400 metropolitan planning organizations and state departments of transportation to delineate traffic analysis zones for the 2000 Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP).

Election Administration

For election administration, Election Data Services developed the PRECIS® Precinct Information System for ArcView® GIS. PRECIS uses a TIGER/Line® base map and geocoded registered voter files to provide tools for delineating voting precincts and assigning voters to precincts and dis­tricts. Election Data Services provides county-level voting statistics and contact information for state and local election administrators. The firm also conducts needs assessments and require­ments analyses for voting equipment and voter registration systems.

GIS

Election Data Services has developed political information products that include congressional and state legislative district boundary files and ZIP+DISTRICT data files linking postal ZIP Codes to congressional and legislative districts. With the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call, Election Data Services has regularly published a general election poster with thematic maps of election results for President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, and members of State Legislatures.