Redlands, California-For the first time ever, CBS News will use
geographic information system (GIS) to generate maps for its 2004
election coverage.
The advanced system will allow CBS News to show which presidential
candidate is leading in each county around the country. The data will be
updated dozens of times throughout the night. These information-rich
displays will be featured in analysis from the CBS News Election Data
Center and the Presidential Analysis Desk.
GIS software from industry leader ESRI, based in Redlands, California,
will help explain exit poll results with in-depth demographic maps. This
demographic insight will enable CBS News to show where certain income,
education, racial and other groups are concentrated, and how those areas
voted in the presidential contest.
GIS will be able to show, for example, the counties where concentrations
of college graduates live and whether those counties voted for
Republican or Democrat. The result will be a qualitative leap forward in
reporting on national voting patterns by CBS News and will provide both
a richer analysis and more dynamic visual presentation.
"The GIS mapping and data system will allows us, for the first time, to
show county-level election results integrated with demographic data that
can be presented using 3D digital maps," said Al Ortiz, Executive
Producer and Director, Special Events, CBS News. "The system will enrich
the presentation of results for our viewers."
"We're honored to be collaborating with CBS News to enhance its ability
to present information-rich graphics as part of its 2004 election
coverage," says Jack Dangermond, president, ESRI. "CBS News is at the
forefront of using computer mapping to enhance election coverage and
visual presentation."
To develop the CBS News election mapping capabilities, ESRI used its
ArcGIS software. CBS News will also have available for use more than a
dozen different demographic characteristics, including income,
population, race, education level, and more from ESRI Business
Information Solution data products.
For more information about how GIS software is used in elections, please
visit www.esri.com/elections.
Tsering Wangyal Shawa
Geographic Information Systems Librarian
Head, Digital Map and Geospatial Information Center
Geosciences and Map Library
Fine Hall B Level, Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544
Phone: (609) 258-6804
Fax: (609) 258-4607
www.princeton.edu/~geolib/gis
Tsering W Shawa ([log in to unmask]),Tsering W Shawa
<[log in to unmask]>
Geographic Information Systems Librarian
Princeton University Library
Geosciences and Map Library
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