By: Lo Bénichou

This post is part three of a guide series on electoral maps and data visualization. Make sure to check out part one, on using expressions to visualize election results, and part two, on the Feature State API.

Electoral maps come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the election, the number of candidates, voting initiatives, and more. To ensure accuracy and data integrity, picking the correct colors and styles for a map is critical. In this post, we’ll explore various designs from major publications and share tips on how you can create your own using Mapbox GL JS and Studio.

The classic map

Your typical electoral maps usually focus on one state or one county. Some will only show the boundaries of the concerned region while others will highlight the focus area. Playing with contrast and color enables you to guide the reader with a clearly laid out design. Right from the bat, a reader should know what they’re looking at and what the data signifies.