Methodology

Data Generation Overview

The ElectionGuide Team tracks elections globally, gathers data on each election, monitors and analyzes election results, and ensures the consistency and accuracy of ElectionGuide in the period before and after an election. Our methodology relies on well-established data collection standards, objective analysis, and strict verification procedures.

Codebook

View and download the ElectionGuide Codebook v2

Version 3 of the codebook is available as of April 2025.

Version 2 of the codebook was published in September 2023.

Version 1 was published in July 2022.

Update Cadence

Elections are identified up to one year in advance. Complete election profiles are typically available on the web view two weeks before an election is held. Election results and turnout information are available as early as two weeks after an election has been confirmed. The ElectionGuide team provides daily updates to the site as new information on upcoming and recent elections is announced. For more on data timelines, see our Access Options.

Inclusion Criteria

ElectionGuide uses simple inclusion criteria to capture the broadest possible set of elections. To be included in ElectionGuide, an election must be:

Direct, meaning voters select candidates to serve in a position or institution.
National level, including national executive institutions, national legislative institutions, and nationwide referenda.

Given these criteria, ElectionGuide does not include:

Indirectly elected, appointed, and inherited positions,
Legislative by-elections, or
Subnational institutional elections (e.g., gubernatorial, mayoral, local assembly)

Prior to 2025, ElectionGuide included data on some overseas territories and autonomous areas, but the scope was not clearly defined. Historical data on elections in overseas territories and autonomous regions that do not meet these criteria will remain available on ElectionGuide.org. A note appears in these country profiles indicating no new elections are being tracked after 2024. Beginning in 2025, ElectionGuide will track upcoming elections in:

UN-recognized countries,

Overseas territories with sufficient data availability and a population of 50,000 or more, and

Select politically relevant autonomous regions.

ElectionGuide Verification Process

IFES takes a multifaceted approach to ensure the accuracy of ElectionGuide data. Wherever possible, each election profile is reviewed and verified by at least one external authority in addition to our experts prior to publication. These external consultations may include:

Country election authorities
Other official government sources, including US-based embassies
Civil society organizations (CSOs)
Inter-governmental organizations (e.g. OSCE, UN)

Once an election profile is compiled by our team and verified, the profile is made public. As the anticipated election date nears, IFES attempts to substitute all secondary sources with additional primary ones and modifies estimates with official dates; eventually, the election authority is the source of record. Given this ongoing process, ElectionGuide election profiles should be treated as living records.

To verify election results after an election has been held, ElectionGuide uses data only from official sources (that is, a country election authority, embassy, or other government-affiliated source). In rare cases where information cannot be directly obtained, official results quoted in reputable media sources will be used, when they can be cross verified.