The next step to consider is the method by which data is 'captured' from the source. The most accurate election results data will be obtained directly from the officers in charge of counting centres, and not from media reports, election observers or political parties. For example, personal elector details will be more accurate if obtained directly from the electors themselves, and not from indirect sources such as acquaintances or other organisations' databases of questionable quality. This means that data will be legally obtained from reliable sources, preferably 'primary' sources rather than 'secondary' sources. The first step is to use reliable collection methods. There are several measures that can be taken to ensure the reliability of data used in electoral computer systems. A computer system that relies on data is only as good as the data it contains. Ensuring the reliability of data is crucially important.
Electoral rolls of voters, electronic voting systems, election results systems and staff and materials databases are all based primarily on data. Many electoral computer systems exist primarily to store and make use of data.
