Lucca Carlson
Research Interests
American Politics, Political Behavior, Public Policy, Election Administration, Native American Politics
Education
B.A. in Political Science and Economics –
University of Florida
2025
Minors: Statistics, Public Leadership, International Development and Humanitarian Assistance
Publications
Journal Articles
- Carlson, L. & Olstad, M. (2025). Scholarships and civic duty: Leveraging state grant aid recipients as poll workers.
Journal of Election Administration, Research and Practice, 4(Special Issue), 115–126.
- 5th Place Proposal ($1000 Prize) at IEARP Election Funding Contest
Book Chapters
- Wright Austin, S.D. & Carlson, L.R. (2026). Megan Markle, race and feminism in post-Brexit Britain. In (Eds.) D. Harris & J.S. Collazo. Racism and the British Monarchy: A Meghan Markle Reader. University of Arizona Press.
Working Papers
- Carlson, L. Determinants of turnout in tribal elections. Senior Thesis.
- Best Undergraduate Paper Award ($200 Prize), Florida Political Science Association
- Best Undergraduate Thesis Award, University of Florida Department of Political Science
Work Experience
Election Specialist II –
County of Humboldt
Feb. 2026 – Present
Election Specialist I –
County of Humboldt
Jul. 2025 – Present
Independent Contractor –
ElectionSmith
May 2025 – Oct. 2025
Park Manager Intern –
South Dakota State Parks
May 2024 – Aug. 2024
Tribal Liaison Intern –
National Park Service
May 2024 – Aug. 2024
Crew Leader –
Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa
May 2023 – Aug. 2023
Grants and Fellowships
- University Scholar – Center for Undergraduate Research – $1750 – 2024
- Reubin Askew Scholar – Bob Graham Center for Public Service – $2000 – 2023
- Society of Fellows – Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education – $2500 – 2023
- Research Fellow – Center For European Studies – 2023
Awards and Honors
- Student Excellence Award Finalist – UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – 2025
- 1st Place Policy Proposal – Future of Florida Summit on Education Policy – 2023
- 2nd Place Policy Proposal – Future of Florida Summit on Economic Policy – 2023
- National Merit Scholar – National Merit Scholarship Corporation – 2021
- U.S. Presidential Scholar Semifinalist – White House Commission on Presidential Scholars – 2020
Note: Awards tied to a specific paper are listed with the paper.
Presentations
- Presenter – Institute for Election Administration Reform and Practice – 2025
- Panel – Southern Political Science Association – 2024, 2025
- Panel – Florida Political Science Association – 2025
- Poster – Midwest Political Science Association – 2024
- Moderator – U.S. Foreign Policy Today, UF Office of Public Policy Events – 2023
- Panel – Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida – 2023
- Speaker – 40 Gators Under 40 UF CLAS Reception – 2023
Teaching and Mentorship
- Teaching Assistant
- POS4931: Applied Political Behavior – Fall 2024
- HUM2930: Research and Creativity – Fall 2022
- Student Trip Leader – Beyond 120 Experiential Learning – 2023
- Mentor – University Research Scholars Program – 2022
Leadership and Service
- Volunteer Voter Hotline Data Analysis – Common Cause Florida – 2025
- Treasurer – Florida Political Review – 2025
- President – Florida Student Policy Forum – 2024
- Student Fellow – Bob Graham Center for Public Service – 2023
Skills
- Methods: Generalized Linear Models, Mixed Models, Econometrics, Categorical Data Analysis
- Software: R, ArcGIS Pro, Microsoft Office Suite Applications, LaTeX, Git
Professional Memberships
- California Association of Clerks and Election Officials
References
Dr. Daniel A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, University of Florida
Dr. Sharon W. Austin, Professor of Political Science, University of Florida
Dr. Peter Collings, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Florida
Dr. Hannah Alarian, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Florida
Dr. Teresa Cornacchione, Lecturer and Civic Engagement Coordinator, University of Florida
Note: Reference contact information available on request.