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PromptWarElection / SETUP_CHECKLIST.md
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Mr-TD
feat: initialize 2026 Election Assistant web application with real-time tracking and comprehensive event documentation
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May 1, 2026 Election - Setup Checklist

Everything you need to setup and launch the Election Assistant for the 2026 midterm election

✅ Pre-Installation Checklist

  • Python 3.8+ installed
  • pip package manager available
  • ~500MB disk space available
  • Git (optional, for version control)
  • Text editor or IDE
  • Browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  • Windows/Mac/Linux computer
  • Internet connection (for documentation links)

✅ Installation Steps

Step 1: Get the Code

  • Navigate to project directory
  • Or clone repository if starting fresh
cd X:\OngoingProject\election
# or
git clone <repository>
cd election

Step 2: Create Virtual Environment

  • Create Python virtual environment
  • Verify virtual environment created
python -m venv .venv

Step 3: Activate Virtual Environment

  • Activate the virtual environment
  • Verify prompt shows (.venv) prefix
# Windows PowerShell:
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# macOS/Linux:
source .venv/bin/activate

Step 4: Install Dependencies

  • Install all required packages
  • Verify no errors during installation
  • Check pip list for Flask and SocketIO
pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 5: Setup Environment

  • Copy .env.template to .env
  • Review .env settings
  • No changes needed for local development
copy .env.template .env

Step 6: Reset Database

  • Delete old election_assistant.db
  • This ensures 2026 data loads
del election_assistant.db

✅ Verification Steps

Verify Python Environment

  • Python version is 3.8+
  • Virtual environment is active (.venv in prompt)
python --version

Verify Dependencies Installed

  • Flask is installed
  • SocketIO is installed
  • SQLAlchemy is installed
pip list
pip show flask
pip show flask-socketio

Verify Project Structure

  • app/ directory exists
  • templates/ directory exists
  • static/ directory exists
  • tests.py file exists
  • requirements.txt exists
dir

✅ Running the Application

Start the Server

  • Run python run.py
  • See Flask startup messages
  • Server running on 0.0.0.0:5000
  • Database created automatically
python run.py

Expected output:

 * Running on all addresses (0.0.0.0)
 * Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000
 * Debug mode: on

Access in Browser

  • Open http://localhost:5000/

  • Home page loads

  • Navigation links visible

  • Click "Timeline" link

  • Timeline page loads

  • 25 events visible

  • Connection indicator shows

✅ Testing

Run Unit Tests

  • Execute: python -m unittest tests -v
  • All 10 tests pass
  • No errors in output
python -m unittest tests -v

Expected:

Ran 10 tests in 0.XXXs
OK

Test Each Page

Test Real-Time Features

  • Connection indicator shows green
  • Live stats display connected users
  • Timeline events show with status badges
  • Pending events are gray
  • All 25 events are listed

Test API Endpoints 

curl http://localhost:5000/api/health
curl http://localhost:5000/api/timeline
curl http://localhost:5000/api/steps
curl http://localhost:5000/api/faq

✅ Configuration

Environment Variables

  • FLASK_ENV set to development
  • FLASK_DEBUG set to True
  • SECRET_KEY is set
  • DATABASE_URL points to SQLite

In .env:

FLASK_ENV=development
FLASK_DEBUG=True
SECRET_KEY=dev-key
DATABASE_URL=sqlite:///election_assistant.db

Database

  • election_assistant.db file created
  • 4 database tables created
  • 25 timeline events loaded
  • 5 process steps loaded
  • 10 FAQs loaded

✅ Customization Options

Update Timeline Events (Optional)

  • Edit app/models.py seed_election_data()
  • Add/modify TimelineEvent objects
  • Delete database and restart to reload

Update Process Steps (Optional)

  • Edit ProcessStep objects in seed data
  • Update descriptions and dates
  • Regenerate database

Update FAQs (Optional)

  • Edit FAQ objects in seed data
  • Update questions and answers
  • Regenerate database

Customize Styling (Optional)

  • Edit static/css/main.css
  • Add custom colors/fonts
  • Changes apply immediately

✅ Stopping & Restarting

Stop the Server

  • Press Ctrl+C in terminal
  • Server stops
  • Database remains intact

Restart the Server

  • Ensure database isn't deleted
  • Run: python run.py
  • All data preserved

Fresh Start

  • Stop server (Ctrl+C)
  • Delete election_assistant.db
  • Run: python run.py
  • Fresh 2026 data loaded

✅ Production Preparation (If Deploying)

Security Checklist

  • Change SECRET_KEY (use secrets.token_urlsafe())
  • Set FLASK_ENV=production
  • Set FLASK_DEBUG=False
  • Use HTTPS (SSL certificate)
  • Use PostgreSQL (not SQLite)
  • Enable firewall
  • Secure database credentials

Deployment Options

  • Gunicorn + Eventlet ready
  • Docker setup available
  • Environment configured
  • Database backed up

Performance

  • Tests pass all
  • No errors in console
  • API responds quickly
  • WebSocket connections stable

✅ Troubleshooting

Issue: "ModuleNotFoundError"

  • Verify virtual environment activated
  • Check .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1 ran
  • Reinstall requirements: pip install -r requirements.txt

Issue: Port 5000 already in use

  • Check if another Flask app running
  • Stop other app or use different port
  • Or kill process: lsof -i :5000

Issue: Old 2024 data showing

  • Delete election_assistant.db
  • Restart app: python run.py
  • Fresh 2026 data loads

Issue: Tests failing

  • Verify all packages installed
  • Virtual environment activated
  • Database file deleted
  • Run: python -m unittest tests -v

Issue: WebSocket not connecting

  • Check browser console (F12)
  • Verify firewall allows WebSocket
  • Hard refresh: Ctrl+Shift+R
  • Restart app and browser

✅ Documentation Review

  • Read QUICKSTART_2026.md
  • Read 2026_ELECTION_INFO.md
  • Read SETUP_DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md
  • Read REALTIME_FEATURES.md
  • Review README_2026_ELECTION.md

✅ Team/Sharing Setup

For Multiple Users

  • Ensure everyone has Python 3.8+
  • Share .env.template (not .env with secrets)
  • Share requirements.txt
  • Share all app files
  • Each person creates virtual environment

For Public Deployment

  • Use production settings
  • Deploy to server (Heroku, AWS, etc.)
  • Setup domain name
  • Configure HTTPS
  • Use PostgreSQL database
  • Monitor performance

✅ Final Checklist Before Launch

Core Functionality

  • Home page loads
  • Timeline displays 25 events
  • Process guide shows 5 steps
  • FAQ displays 10 questions
  • All pages responsive

Real-Time Features

  • WebSocket connects (green indicator)
  • Live stats update
  • Connection counter shows users
  • Events show pending status

Data

  • 25 timeline events loaded
  • 5 process steps loaded
  • 10 FAQs loaded
  • All dates correct (May 1 - Jan 20)

Testing

  • 10 unit tests pass
  • API endpoints working
  • Database queries working
  • No errors in console

Documentation

  • All 5 documentation files created
  • Setup guide reviewed
  • Quick start ready
  • Election info available

Browser Compatibility

  • Works in Chrome
  • Works in Firefox
  • Works in Safari
  • Works in Edge

Mobile/Responsive

  • Works on desktop
  • Works on tablet
  • Works on mobile
  • All pages responsive

✅ Launch Day

Pre-Launch (Day Before)

  • Verify all systems working
  • Run full test suite
  • Check database integrity
  • Review all pages
  • Test on multiple devices

Launch Day

  • Start server: python run.py
  • Verify all pages loading
  • Check real-time features
  • Monitor connection status
  • Share URL with users
  • Announce launch

Post-Launch

  • Monitor logs
  • Check connection count
  • Verify API responses
  • Gather feedback
  • Make adjustments as needed

📞 Support Resources

Quick Start:

  • QUICKSTART_2026.md

Election Information:

  • 2026_ELECTION_INFO.md

Setup & Deployment:

  • SETUP_DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md

Real-Time Features:

  • REALTIME_FEATURES.md

Full Documentation:

  • README_2026_ELECTION.md

Code Examples:

  • Check tests.py for API usage
  • Check app/routes.py for endpoints
  • Check app/models.py for data

🎯 Key Dates (2026 Election)

  • May 1: Campaign Season Begins
  • ~Oct 4: Voter Registration Deadline
  • Oct 20: Early Voting Begins
  • Nov 3: ELECTION DAY
  • Dec 14: Electoral College Votes
  • Jan 6, 2027: Congress Electoral Count
  • Jan 20, 2027: INAUGURATION DAY

✨ Ready to Launch!

Once you've completed this checklist:

✅ All items checked
✅ Tests passing
✅ All pages working
✅ Real-time features active
✅ Documentation reviewed

You're Ready to Launch! 🚀 

python run.py

Open http://localhost:5000/timeline and follow the 2026 election in real-time!

Questions? Check the documentation files or review the code comments.

Let's make the 2026 election interactive, engaging, and informative! 🗳️