Concept: Rich Ballot Experience

Voting remotely:

Anytime, anywhere, anyway by anyone

Download the concept poster as a PDF file 

Presentation poster for the Refined Rich Voting Experience concept

About this concept

The text that follows describes the concept presentation poster.

A system that utilizes an interactive sample ballot which prepares users for voting by educating them on the voting process and candidates.

A picture of the ballot shows contests with help icons

The rich ballot experience includes three modes of help, described below

The ballot includes help icons:

  • Provides users with variable volume audio instructions (for each contest or question)
  • Provides users with more detailed instructions and further relevant information (for each contest or question)
  • Links users to office requirements or candidate information page (for each contest or question, and for each candidate)
A diagram of the process

The remote voting process with the rich ballot experience shown as a diagram with 5 touch points

The process of voting using the rich ballot process has a series of steps:
  1. User downloads sample ballot
  2. Data sent through user’s personal A.T.
  3. User reviews, marks and verifies ballot
  4. Ballot saved in portable format (.mp3/PDF/QR code)
  5. User submits ballot remotely or in person


Detailed description
The Rich Ballot Experience affords vital information and  convenience to users in a process similar to that of online shopping. The user downloads the file/application that then guides them through the voting process. It presents information on the office of which they are voting and the candidates who are running. This file/application can communicate with all forms of AT which allows for its use to be universal.

Universal design principles applied to this concept

Principle One: Equitable Use

  • Strengths:
    • Beneficial to all users regardless of disability. It enables users to be prepared when at the polls
    • Provides various methods for receiving directions and allows users to implement technology they are comfortable with
  • Weaknesses:
    • Use of technology is required
    • Geared toward online users

Principle Two: Flexibility in Use

  • Strengths:
    • Can be used with personal assistive devices
    • This process could be used outside of the poll system to educate students on voting
  • Weaknesses:
    • Relies on other websites to link information
    • Internet connection is required

Principle Three: Simple and Intuitive Use

  • Strengths:
    • Draws upon the online shopping process which users are
    • familiar with
    • All voting information is provided in one location with no need to do independent searching online
  • Weaknesses:
    • Familiarity with technology is required

Principle Four: Perceptible Information

  • Strengths:
    • High contrast interface communicates function to user
    • Compatible with user’s assistive technology
    • Can interact with language translation programs
  • Weaknesses:
    • Familiarity with technology is required

Principle Five: Tolerance for Error

  • Strengths:
    • Verification process empowers user to review choices prior to
    • voting
    • Process clarifies to user how too vote in each section of ballot to reduce improper voting
  • Weaknesses:
    • Possibility of confusing sample ballot with official ballot

Principle Six: Low Physical Effort

  • Strengths:
    • Allows voters to work at their own pace
    • Voters can come and go as they please
  • Weaknesses:
    • If voters wait to engage in the process at the last minute they may feel rushed

 

This concept was created at the Accessible Elections Design Workshop in February 2012