The VM2 Uniform dataset format merges Demographic and Vote History information into a single dataset. While L2 uses a common data dictionary for its variables, each state (and state subgovernment) will have its own elected offices and election events that will require careful use of the state-specific data dictionary.
Many L2 Demographic variables are modeled. That is, their values are not based upon administrative records. The Source File Layout will indicate modeled variables, and the state-specific data dictionary will provide supplementary documentation on modeled variables.
The VM2 dataset format provides Demographic and Vote History information in separate datasets. The Vote History dataset includes no demographic information. It uses a shared L2-generated ID variable to link each vote history record to its counterpart record in the Demographic dataset.
While L2 uses a common data dictionary for its variables, each state (and state subgovernment) will have its own elected offices and election events that will require careful use of the state-specific data dictionary.
Many L2 Demographic variables are modeled. That is, their values are not based upon administrative records. The Source File Layout will indicate modeled variables, and the state-specific data dictionary will provide supplementary documentation on modeled variables.
For recent election events, L2 provides datasets that document voters' ballot return activity. These datasets may update daily for a couple weeks following an election event.
The L2 Ballot Return Data dataset is a tab-delimited text file, without data dictionary. The dataset has a limited number of vote history variables relevant to the election event: Early or absentee; Requested ballot date; Sent ballot date; Returned ballot date; Returned ballot status; Returned ballot party. The dataset includes an L2-generated Voter ID variable, for linking to the L2 VM and L2 VM2 Uniform datasets.
