In an election year, maps are used by government, candidates and the media to communicate information about our democracy. They influence decisions about how you vote and how candidates are elected.

1. What Color is Your Vote?
Elections, Maps and Power: A Pathfinder
Melissa L. Jones, LIS 688, Summer 2008

2. Research Questions:
•How are maps used by the general public during an
election year?
•How are maps used by candidates and political parties
during an election year?
•How do maps influence our votes?

3. In an election year, we use maps to…
1) Draw election
districts

4. In an election year, we use maps to…
2) Follow polls and
election results

5. In an election year, we use maps to…
3) Communicate
information about
winners and losers

6. In an election year, we use maps to…
4) Make sense of our
national identity

7. Distorted Maps
and Cartograms:
Alternate views

9. Conclusions
Election Maps in the media don’t reflect
the complexity of our votes
Maps play a large role in voter
education
Those with the power to manipulate
our electoral map have the power to
decide who gets elected
You can play a role in making these
decisions!

10. Conclusions
Election Maps in the media don’t reflect
the complexity of our votes
Maps play a large role in voter
education
Those with the power to manipulate
our electoral map have the power to
decide who gets elected
You can play a role in making these
decisions!