2026 Call for Proposals

The Election Science, Reform, and Administration (ESRA) Conference invites proposals for its upcoming conference focused on pressing issues in U.S. elections. The purpose of the conference is to engage both election practitioners and scholars by providing a forum for collaboration and exchange that can stimulate policy evaluation and innovation in election administration.

Unlike traditional academic conferences, ESRA is intentionally designed as a shared space where academics, election officials, policymakers, advocates, and other election professionals can learn from one another. The conference emphasizes the practical application of scholarly research and the integration of practitioner experience into research agendas, with the goal of improving the administration, integrity, accessibility, and resilience of U.S. elections.

Topics of Interest

We welcome proposals that address current and emerging challenges in U.S. elections, including but not limited to:

• Election administration and management
• Voter registration, turnout, and participation
• Election technology, security, and infrastructure
• Election law, policy, and reform
• Accessibility, equity, and inclusion in elections
• Misinformation, disinformation, and voter confidence
• Poll worker recruitment, training, and retention
• Elections communications
• Evaluation of election policies, programs, and innovations

Interdisciplinary, applied, and collaborative proposals are especially encouraged.

Types of Research Considered

ESRA welcomes a broad range of research approaches relevant to U.S. elections and election administration. Submissions may include:

• Descriptive or exploratory analyses of election processes, policies, or practices
• Evaluations of election programs, reforms, or innovations
• Case studies drawn from election jurisdictions or administrative experiences
• Research using qualitative methods, quantitative/statistical methods, or mixed methods
• Collaborative panels featuring both scholars and practitioners
• Roundtables focused on problem-solving, methods, or best practices

All submissions should clearly articulate their relevance to election administration, policy, or practice. Proposals that highlight practical implications, lessons learned, or opportunities for implementation are especially encouraged.

Audience and Participation

The conference is open to election administrators, scholars, students, policymakers, advocates, and others working in or studying elections. ESRA strongly encourages proposals that bring together perspectives across these communities and foster dialogue, collaboration, and mutual learning.

Submission Options

Participants may submit proposals in one of the following formats: presentations, full panels or roundtables, or posters. Proposals may be submitted by scholars, election practitioners, or collaborative teams.

To support the conference’s goal of bridging research and practice, priority will be given to submissions from election jurisdictions and practitioners or those that are developed in direct collaboration with election offices.

Presentation Formats

Presentations

Paper presentations are intended for individual or collaborative projects that examine U.S. elections and election administration from a variety of perspectives and methodological approaches. Submissions may include descriptive or exploratory analyses of election processes, policies, or practices; evaluations of election programs, reforms, or innovations; and case studies drawn from election jurisdictions or administrative experiences.

Research may employ qualitative methods, quantitative or statistical methods, mixed methods, or practitioner-based approaches. Both completed studies and advanced works in progress are welcome. Presentations should clearly describe the purpose of the project, the approach or methods used (as applicable), key findings or insights, and the implications for election administration, policy, or practice.

Paper presentations may also be organized collaboratively by scholars and practitioners and may incorporate discussion-based elements, such as shared reflections on implementation challenges, methodological considerations, or best practices.

Panels and Roundtables

Panels and roundtables consist of multiple presenters organized around a common theme or topic. These sessions are designed to encourage dialogue among presenters and with the audience, rather than a series of isolated talks. Panels and roundtable proposals must include a mix of scholars and practitioners and may take the form of research presentations, practitioner case studies, or facilitated discussions.

Panels and roundtables that are based within election jurisdiction and practitioners or developed collaboratively with election offices are strongly encouraged and will receive priority consideration. We also encourage panels in which the participants interact with one another in a dialogue, as opposed to the panelists making their own siloed presentations while sitting next to one another on the stage.

Posters

Poster sessions will serve as the primary platform for purely academic research presentations at the conference. Posters provide an interactive setting for sharing research, receiving feedback, and engaging directly with election practitioners and scholars.

Posters are well-suited for a wide range of academic work, including descriptive analyses, methodological contributions, evaluations, and studies using qualitative, quantitative/statistical, or mixed methods. Both completed projects and works in progress are welcome. Presenters should clearly communicate the research question, data, and methods (as applicable), key findings, and implications for election administration, policy, or practice.

Submission Information

Detailed submission guidelines, deadlines, and conference logistics will be provided on the conference website. Questions about proposals or participation may be directed to the 2026 ESRA Program Chair, Bridgett A. King at bridgett.king@uky.edu.

Proposal decisions and notifications will be made in April 2026.

We look forward to proposals that advance evidence-based election policy and practice and contribute to a more robust and collaborative election ecosystem.

Thank you,

2026 ESRA Program Committee

Karen Brinson Bell, MPA, PMP, CERA, Principal and Co-Founder, Advance Elections
William Gates, J.D., Executive Director, Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory, and Professor of Practice, School of Public Affairs (SPA), Arizona State University
Bridgett A. King, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
Lauren Prather, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of California, San Diego