The document discusses research into how voters find information about elections and voting. It analyzed 147 election websites and conducted usability tests. The research found that county websites were the most common place voters looked for information. However, the websites often used jargon and lacked clear explanations of the voting process. To improve access, the document recommends writing content in plain language, organizing information logically based on voters' goals and questions, and designing pages for easy reading and scanning. The goal is to clearly answer voters' questions so they can easily take the necessary steps to participate in elections.
15. 94% of the population lives in a county that has an
elections website
Of 3,057 counties or equivalent, 966 didn’t have
websites (31.5%)
“election department” varied by region
Factoids
47. What’s on the ballot?
What are my options for voting?
absentee early voting Election Day
what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
48. What’s on the ballot?
What are my options for voting?
absentee early voting Election Day
what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
49. What’s on the ballot?
What are my options for voting?
absentee early voting Election Day
what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
50. What’s on the ballot?
What are my options for voting?
absentee early voting Election Day
what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
51. what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
who is in office now?
do I need ID to vote?
what’s the deadline for registering?
52. what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
who is in office now?
do I need ID to vote?
what’s the deadline for registering?
53. what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
who is in office now?
do I need ID to vote?
what’s the deadline for registering?
54. what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
who is in office now?
do I need ID to vote?
what’s the deadline for registering?
55. what’s the
deadline to apply?
what do I have to
do to get one?
when is it due?
where do I vote? where do I vote?
who is in office now?
do I need ID to vote?
what’s the deadline for registering?
67. 1. Write for your
audience
2. Organize information
logically for voters’
goals
3. Design for reading
4. Provide alternatives
5. Write for action
68. • Answer voters’ questions
• Treat communication as a conversation
• Write in active voice, speaking directly to the reader
• Write in plain language, using short, simple, everyday word
1. Write for your audience
69. • Organize information by activity or task
• Put steps in the order in which they must be completed
2. Organize information logically, to
meet voters’ goals
70. • Short sentences
• Short paragraphs (so each step or piece of information is clear)
• Separate paragraphs by a space so each paragraph stands out
on the page or screen
3. Design for scanning and
skimming
71. • Include simple summaries of complex content (bite, snack,
meal)
• Use all the channels
• Make sure alternate languages are accessible
4. Provide alternatives
72. • Write in the active voice, where the person doing the action
comes before the verb.
• Write in the positive
5. Write for action
73. What’s on the ballot?
How do I vote if I can’t
get to the polling place?
Who are my reps now,
and what districts am I
in?
Where do I vote?
Do I have to show ID?
Priority content