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.

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)

The remote voting process with the rich ballot experience shown as a diagram with 5 touch points
- User downloads sample ballot
- Data sent through user’s personal A.T.
- User reviews, marks and verifies ballot
- Ballot saved in portable format (.mp3/PDF/QR code)
- 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