Peter Miller Headshot

Peter Miller

Researcher, Brennan Center for Justice
Chapter Member: New York City SSN
Areas of Expertise:

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About Peter

Miller is a researcher at the Brennan Center focusing on redistricting, voting, and elections. His research interests include U.S. and comparative politics, voting behavior, political institutions, and public opinion. He is a frequent commentator on topics related to redistricting reform, voting rights, and elections. Miller is a former Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tampere in Finland. He holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in political science from the University of California, Irvine, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Reed College.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

Why Independent Redistricting Commissions Should Draw Electoral District Maps

Key Findings Brief,

No Jargon Podcast

Episode 179:
Gerrymandering on Trial

In the News

"A New Approach to Redistricting Pennsylvania and Beyond," Peter Miller (with Steve Kimbrough and Fred Murphy), The Inquirer, January 5, 2018.

Publications

"Early Voting in America: Public Usage and Public Support" (with Paul Gronke), in Ben Griffith (ed), America Votes! (Cleveland OH, Lachina Publishing, 2019), 215-232.

Explores the historical roots and current usage of early voting (early in-person, absentee, by mail) in the United States, and examines the legal and policy issues raised by this change in the way that Americans cast their ballots.

"Mobilizing the Young Vote: Direct Mail Voter Guides in the 2015 Chicago Mayoral Election" (with Rebecca Reynolds and Matthew Singer). Research & Politics 4, no. 4 (2017).

Reports the results of a direct mail mobilization experiment in the Chicago mayoral election. Finds that the voter guide increased turnout among 18-30 year olds, but only in more affluent areas of the city.

"Get Out the Early Vote: Co-Ethnic Mobilization and Convenience Voting" (with Neilan S. Chaturvedi). Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties (2018).

Uses survey data and voter registration files to measure the voting behavior of Blacks in the Obama elections. Finds that they are more likely to vote, but also substantially more likely to vote prior to Election Day.

"Overcoming Voting Obstacles: The Use of Convenience Voting by Voters with Disabilities" (with Sierra Powell). American Politics Research 44, no. 1 (2015): 28-55.

Assesses the ability of convenience voting reforms to increase turnout among Americans with disabilities. Finds that mail ballots are one possible reform that can narrow the gap in turnout for voters with disabilities.

"Public Hearings and Congressional Redistricting: Evidence from the Western United States 2011-2012" (with Bernard Grofman). Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy 17, no. 1 (2018).

Examines the role of public input into the redistricting process in the western United States. Finds the public is able to provide meaningful guidance to the redistricting authorities, but that comments related to small units of geography are more likely to be accepted.

"Redistricting Commissions in the Western United States" (with Bernard Grofman). University of California Irvine Law Review 3 (2013): 637-668.

Compares redistricting authorities in the western United States. Finds that commissions are able to deliver timely maps that also modestly increase competition in House elections.