Intro
This section offers a basic introduction for how to make maps and visualizations using various election data. There is an emphasis on utilizing open source and free tools as well as data that is freely available. In addition, this section will feature out of the box platforms that allow you to create easy maps and visualizations with election data.
USC Neighborhood Data for Social Change
- USC Neighborhood Data for Social ChangeProvides a range of data including voting information that can be mapped and downloaded.
Sage Data
Sage Data provides a wealth of information via reputable government and other agencies. For election data it has various election results as well as campaign finance data. You can create charts and maps which can exported or download the data and make them yourself.
- SAGE Data This link opens in a new windowAn interactive database that allows users to create tables, maps, and figures from a variety data sources covering a wide range of subjects. Data holdings for the United States are significant with some data available at state, county, or local geographies. International data,available at the country level, include population, food and agriculture, labor, trade, and more. Data are organized by subject and source. Formerly known as Data-Planet.
Social Explorer
Social Explorer is a USC database with a range of data but especially US Census data. In addition, there is current and historical election data available. Social Explorer allows you to make incredibly easy and interactive maps that can be shared online.
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new windowVisually display demographic data in the U.S. from 1790-present at a variety of geographic levels. Create reports, maps and animations that can be downloaded.
Simply Analytics
SimplyAnalytics provides current election data that can be mapped alongside other data variables and then exported as a shapefile to be used in other mapping software.
- SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new windowA web-based mapping, analytics, and data visualization application with 100,000+ data variables, including: demographic data from the US Census and American Community Survey (ACS), consumer spending data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX), and D&B's Points-of-Interest business file providing access to over 5 million US business profiles. Includes MRI-SimmonsLOCAL consumer behavior dataset, which includes data on over 8,000 brands, 450 categories, and the MOSAIC consumer lifestyle segmentation system. Data is available down to the Census Block Group level.
Tableau Public
Tableau Public is a free platform that anyone can use for data visualization, including creating maps and charts. You can download it here. There is a great community of users who share projects online. You can take data from almost any source and create visualizations in a matter of minutes with Tableau including charts and maps. These can then be embedded like you see here in projects, presentations, and anywhere online.
