SHERRY HOLLIMANN (cont.)

It is certain that using information from different sources may be exaggerated in order to provide more interesting details about an event. When should historical data be considered useful? Do you believe that using historical data can be empowering or misleading? Do you believe that historical data is always accurate? Voters and elected officials rely heavily on historical data collected for voter files for each election.

These records will prove whether or not someone is registered to vote and how they voted in each election. The individual registration and turnout records come directly from records kept by each state for every election. The turnout record indicates whether or not someone voted in a given election, though it does not provide their chosen candidate or party. The registration record may include which political party the individual is registered with depending on what state provides this information where voters can register by party.

So again, how important and useful is historical data? The intent is innocent for the researcher needing to make an informed and improved decision. Other factors to consider with vote history is that, while the presence of a record of voting almost certainly means that a person voted in that election the absence of a record does not mean they definitely did not vote. The lacking of a record could suggest that someone did not vote and that the matched data has missed one or more election records for an individual or even that the match is to the wrong person. Even when the match is to the correct person, the voter record attached to that person in the file may be out of date or incorrect.

One of the most common challenges facing false information about elections is the acknowledgement of some people to say they voted when they did not.

Another way of getting different results with using historical data is relying on eyewitness accounts rather than on factual data thus allowing the research collected to contain specific data that a researcher may not possess nor have experienced.

Many historical data users understand that the use of most records for voting purposes are only as good as the information provided at the time of printing. If the record keeper does not keep their records up-todate, if the voter moves and don’t change their address, then the data will be inaccurate.

Keeping and using voter historical data can be very challenging and actually harm the results needed to make changes because of recorded inaccurate information.

Issues such as these where voters claim to be registered but no record matching their current address can be found on the voter file. The lack of a matching record is not proof that the person is not registered. In some states voters who have moved can vote as long as they have not changed voting districts.

Others may choose to vote in their old precinct using the registration attached to their previous address.

In addition, college students are able to vote in some states where they attend school, but that may not reflect their permanent address. It is important to know that maintaining accurate historical data will only help the user to better understand barriers and to create resolutions that may benefit the overall population facing the oppression or stop discrimination within the system. These experiences are often discovered from historical recordings. The information provided in the voting records will vary depending on location and year.

In today's time, historical data can now be stored digitally which allows for better access to historic events and information. This conversion from using the traditional recording enables historians or researchers the ability to access videos, articles, and images. As a result of this change the general public can use the media to review all kinds of data that is more reliable.

Do you believe that using media or traditional resources matter with getting accurate information?

Sherry Holliman is a concerned citizen of Crittenden County and has some views on a variety of topics that she wants to share with her neighbors. She serves on the Marion City Council.