Case Studies

person sitting in a chair in front of a man

Our Methodology

An Evidence-Based Approach to Change

At Free Our Vote, we don’t just act — we measure. Our programs are evaluated through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed and conducted in-house by our co-founders, both Ph.D. economists, in collaboration with leading universities and agencies.

This rigorous approach ensures that every effort we make delivers measurable, lasting impact.

How We Measure Impact

Turning Data Into
Civic Progress

Through careful data collection, testing, and analysis, we quantify how our initiatives improve voter participation and reduce barriers for justice-impacted individuals.

Design the Study

Define measurable outcomes

Design the Study

Define measurable outcomes

Design the Study

Define measurable outcomes

Run the Trial

Test outreach methods in real conditions

Run the Trial

Test outreach methods in real conditions

Run the Trial

Test outreach methods in real conditions

Measure & Publish

Share findings to inform future efforts

Measure & Publish

Share findings to inform future efforts

Measure & Publish

Share findings to inform future efforts

Case Study

Restoring Voting Rights After Amendment 4

Florida, 2020

photography of people inside room during daytime

Partners

Georgetown University, Campaign Legal Center, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

Background

After Florida’s Amendment 4 restored voting rights to people with past felony convictions, confusion remained. Many Floridians were told they had to repay fines, fees, or restitution before voting — leaving millions uncertain about their eligibility.

Our Approach

Free Our Vote analyzed data on over 500,000 Floridians with past felony convictions and conducted two outreach campaigns:

Information campaign: notified eligible individuals they likely

Debt relief campaign: paid off debts and informed participants of restored eligibility

Results

Voter turnout increased 16% in the information campaign group

Turnout increased 26% among those whose debts were cleared

Findings were published in the Vanderbilt Law Review — the first causal evidence showing that reducing court debt uncertainty directly boosts civic participation.

Free Our Vote Data Availability by Florida County

The shaded counties are where Free Our Vote acquired data either through web scraping techniques or data requests. Unshaded counties are where Free Our Vote did not obtain sufficient data to calculate outstanding LFOs.

The shaded counties are where Free Our Vote acquired data either through web scraping techniques or data requests. Unshaded counties are where Free Our Vote did not obtain sufficient data to calculate outstanding LFOs.

Mailers Sent to Information Campaign Recipients

Shows two sides of a mailer sent to eligible voters with felony convictions but no LFO balances.

Mailers Sent to Debt Relief Beneficiaries

Shows two sides of a mailer sent to beneficiaries of Free Our Vote's debt relief intervention.

Case Study

Increasing Voter Participation Through Targeted Outreach

Pennsylvania, 2024

Partners

Healing Communities of PA, Abolitionist Law Center, West End P.O.W.E.R.

Background

Pennsylvania law allows most people with felony convictions to vote once they’ve completed their sentence — yet thousands remain unregistered

Our Approach

Free Our Vote conducted two randomized controlled trials (RCTs):

Registered voters: 80,000 received mailers and texts encouraging election participation

Unregistered voters: 80,000 received mailers and voter registration nudges

Results

Turnout increased by 3.7% among registered voters

Registration increased by 13% among unregistered voters

The cost per net vote cast was $317.53

Read the full impact report

Mailer Sent to Unregistered Pennsylvanians

Shows two sides of a voter registration mailer sent to eligible potential voters with felony convictions.

Mailer Sent to Registered Pennsylvanians ahead of Early Voting

Shows two sides of an educational mailer sent to eligible voters with felony convictions to encourage voter participation.

Support Our Research

Help Us Expand Our
Evidence-Based Work

Your support allows us to continue conducting groundbreaking research that influences both programmatic and policy reform. Research, coupled with action, yields improved outcomes and creates measurable impact.

Case Studies

Case Studies

Case Studies

An Evidence-Based Approach to Change

An Evidence-Based Approach to Change

Turning Data Into Civic Progress

Design the Study

Design the Study

Design the Study

Run the Trial

Run the Trial

Run the Trial

Measure & Publish

Measure & Publish

Measure & Publish

Restoring Voting Rights After Amendment 4

Florida, 2020

Partners

Background

Our Approach

Information campaign: notified eligible individuals they likely

Debt relief campaign: paid off debts and informed participants of restored eligibility

Results

Results

Voter turnout increased 16% in the information campaign group

Voter turnout increased 16% in the information campaign group

Turnout increased 26% among those whose debts were cleared

Turnout increased 26% among those whose debts were cleared

Free Our Vote Data Availability by Florida County

Free Our Vote Data Availability by Florida County

The shaded counties are where Free Our Vote acquired data either through web scraping techniques or data requests. Unshaded counties are where Free Our Vote did not obtain sufficient data to calculate outstanding LFOs.

Mailers Sent to Information Campaign Recipients

Mailers Sent to Information Campaign Recipients

Shows two sides of a mailer sent to eligible voters with felony convictions but no LFO balances.

Shows two sides of a mailer sent to eligible voters with felony convictions but no LFO balances.

Mailers Sent to Debt Relief Beneficiaries

Mailers Sent to Debt Relief Beneficiaries

Shows two sides of a mailer sent to beneficiaries of Free Our Vote's debt relief intervention.

Shows two sides of a mailer sent to beneficiaries of Free Our Vote's debt relief intervention.

Increasing Voter Participation Through Targeted Outreach

Increasing Voter Participation Through Targeted Outreach

Pennsylvania, 2024

Pennsylvania, 2024

Partners

Background

Our Approach

Registered voters: 80,000 received mailers and texts encouraging election participation

Unregistered voters: 80,000 received mailers and voter registration nudges

Results

Results

Turnout increased by 3.7% among registered voters

Turnout increased by 3.7% among registered voters

Turnout increased by 3.7% among registered voters

Registration increased by 13% among unregistered voters

Registration increased by 13% among unregistered voters

Registration increased by 13% among unregistered voters

The cost per net vote cast was $317.53

The cost per net vote cast was $317.53

The cost per net vote cast was $317.53

Read the full impact report

Read the full impact report

Read the full impact report

Mailer Sent to Unregistered Pennsylvanians

Shows two sides of a voter registration mailer sent to eligible potential voters with felony convictions.

Mailer Sent to Registered Pennsylvanians ahead of Early Voting

Shows two sides of an educational mailer sent to eligible voters with felony convictions to encourage voter participation.

Help Us Expand Our Evidence-Based Work

Donate Today

Donate Today

Donate Today

Turning Data Into
Civic Progress

Help Us Expand Our
Evidence-Based Work