When scientists study anything at all, the first step is nearly always the same: sourcing reliable, standardized data. Without it, analysis is impossible—like knitting a sweater with no yarn. Election science is no exception. In theory, if I request this data from election commissioners, I should be able to request and receive it, easily analyze it, and understand how it was gathered. It is, after all, public and available upon request. The reality, however, is far different.
