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In addition to the ROAD Data mapping files, the
ROAD data includes four types of files, which we list here. The
most important three are:
- Precinct electoral files. A
number of files containing electoral results, each for a different
year (1984-1990), at the precinct level. Each state has a set of
these files.
- MCD Group level files. Merged
files of 1990 Census STF3a and voting data from 1984-1990, including
every state and national election during that time period, at the
MCD Group-level. There is one such file per state.
- Documentation files. These
describe any special considerations for a given state. They also
record information about the merge process--how many precincts and
voters were dropped due to no match being made, how many precincts
were matched to VTDs by the match program, etc.
One remaining type of file was instrumental in the creation of the
merged files. However, we release them primarily to provide others
with the flexibility (1) to create their own lower-level merges should
it become possible for a given subset of the data and (2) to use the
MCD Group-level data with mapping software or in another capacity that
requires integration into existing Census databases at any level of
aggregation.
- Key files. Files mapping
precincts to MCDs, counties, and MCD Groups and the programs, input, and
output files used to create these keys. Each state has two key
files, one for matching precincts to MCDs and MCD groups, and the
other matches MCDs to MCD groups.