Building Trust in Elections Through Data-Driven Research

By: Miranda M. Yarowsky, SFS ’26, Fall 2025 MDI Communications & Events Assistant

In a democracy where voting rights are fundamental yet access remains uneven, Dr. Thessalia Merivaki., has dedicated her career to examining the hidden barriers in the U.S. electoral system. As an Associate Teaching Professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy and an Associate Research Professor at the Massive Data Institute (MDI), she conducts data-driven research that demonstrates how inconsistent election policies across jurisdictions reduce voter participation and foster misinformation.

Over the past five years, Merivaki has sought to understand how election policy shapes both the administration of elections and the voter experience, focusing on access to reliable information, the ability to cast a valid ballot, and trust in the electoral process.

“My research shows that variation in policy and local administrative infrastructure create distinct participation paths for voters, who often are not equipped to navigate due to lack of information. This makes them less prone to participate, but also more vulnerable to misinformation,” said Merivaki.

To address voter misinformation, Merivaki has focused on employing quantitative methods to strengthen electoral participation and resilience.

“I am particularly excited about leveraging observational data to build theory-driven research designs which will help us better understand why and how efforts to educate voters build resilience against misinformation, improve the voter experience, and build trust in election integrity,” she explained.

Merivaki’s decision to investigate election policy stems from her belief in the fundamental right to vote, coupled with her recognition of the complex barriers that frequently prevent people from exercising that right.

“I was drawn to the complexities of election administration, as they more directly explain how voters interact with elections compared to the adoption of election policies,” said Merivaki.

As part of her mission to reduce systemic voting barriers, Merivaki emphasizes the pivotal role of the Massive Data Institute in shaping both her research and her sense of academic community. 

“MDI has built an incredible community of research and practice that allows for cross-disciplinary collaboration, as well as mentoring of young scholars,” said Merivaki. She has used her years of research to impact not only her academic field but also a team she leads at MDI.

“Through MDI, I have been able to build my research team and contribute my research skills towards other projects. I feel a strong sense of belonging thanks to MDI and consider this affiliation part of my academic identity at Georgetown,” she said.

Beyond her institutional contributions, Merivaki reflects on the real-world impact of her research on election practices and voter engagement.

“What I love about my research is that it has direct application to the real world,” said Merivaki. Not just on the Georgetown University campus—“My work has helped federal agencies, state and local election officials, and practitioners design voter education campaigns and raised awareness about the efficacy of educative interventions in improving the voter experience and build[ing] trust in election integrity.”

Looking forward, Merivaki has begun a new research project exploring how Artificial Intelligence tools can improve election communications. Through this work, she continues to advance research at the intersection of data science and democracy, with the goal of creating more informed, equitable, and trustworthy elections.