The document outlines strategies for improving the voting experience by guiding voters through the polling place. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication, adequate signage, and preparation to help voters navigate the voting process and address their questions and concerns. The document also suggests methods to demystify the voting experience and improve accessibility for all voters.

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Guiding voters through
the polling place
Dana Chisnell
Center for Civic Design
@civicdesign | @danachis

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7. Are you getting warmer?
Or cooler?

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9. Capacity management
Queuing theory
Let’s talk about long lines.

10. Factors that contribute to long lines
• planning against
comparable elections
• enough well-trained
workers
• enough usable equipment
• enough voting hours
• and voters

11. 01. Answer voters’
questions
Before they arrive at the
polling place

12. Voters start their journey when they decide to vote
Previewing what voting will be like helps them decide
Way finding starts way before the
polling place

13. The process is opaque — voters have questions
before they even get to the polls
? what’s on the ballot
? where their polling place is, how to get there, and
where to park
? whether they need ID and what kind
? what their registration status is
? what to expect: will they have to wait, and if so, how
long
? the mechanics of voting
? can they bring things and people with them — what’s
restricted

14. Myths and assumptions of voters
“I just want to see
who is running and
what questions are
going to be on the
ballot. I never
know what is going
to be on the ballot
ahead of time, and
I’m afraid of taking
too long in the
booth.”
Sample ballots are not what voters
expect them to be
Polling places are designed for
people who are familiar with how
voting works
Voters expect that poll workers are
like TSA agents - barking orders and
punishing people for doing it wrong

15. Getting ready to vote
Sample ballot = practice ballot
Make them easily available

16. Getting ready to vote
Publish tips for the best voting
experience
• Review your sample ballot
• Check your registration status
• Map your polling place
• Bring the sample ballot with you
• Bring your ID
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Bring your parent / spouse /
kids /helper
• Turn off your phone

17. What to expect at the polls
First-time voters
said they were
more likely to
show up when
we demystified
the experience
in the polling
place.
Explain what the voting system is
and how to use it
Explain the steps voters will go
through in the polling place
Give a range of how long it will take
to mark a ballot and cast it
Say that poll workers are there to
answer questions, assist (and
translate)

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Preparation.
Help voters know what it’s
going to be like to vote.

19. 02. Orient voters in the
polling place
Finding and learning happen
together

20. The situation is unfamiliar — when voters
arrive, they have more questions
am I in the right place?
where do I park, where’s the entrance, and are there accessible spots close to the
polling place?
where do I go when I’m in inside?
what’s on the ballot, again? did I bring that cheatsheet I made?
where do I start? how will I know?
how do I get a ballot?
what if I get it wrong?
where’s that cheatsheet?!
what if they don’t let me vote?
oh god, did I bring my ID?
what if I’m not really registered? can I do it now?
how long will it take to vote? I have to go pick up the kids
do I have to vote on all the contests?
what do I do with this ballot, now?
how do I know my ballot be counted?
now, how do I get out of here?
where’s my car?

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The experience voters have in an election starts
and ends outside the polling place.

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What’s a good layout?

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What’s a good layout?

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What’s a good layout?

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What’s a good layout?

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Orientation.
Help voters know that they’re
in the right place at the right
time.

27. 03. Guide voters through
the polling place

28. Way finding at the polling place location
1. Make signs easy to read
2. Show traffic patterns
3. Use appropriate color to identify types of information
4. Be clear about actions voters must take
5. Provide clear information about what’s allowed in the
polling place
6. Communicate laws and regulations appropriately
7. Make it easy to read in all languages
8. Use plain language
9. Use icons to reinforce instructions
10. Make the text easy to read
Pro tip: Test and make iterative improvements

29. Effective Designs for the
Administration of Federal Elections
http://www.eac.gov/election_management_resources/
designing_polling_place_materials.aspx

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32. Hang signs at eye level.
Make sure signs are visible from around the room.
No. 01
Make signs easy to read

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Comfortable viewing zone for posters
The main content should be between 4 feet and 5.5 feet high

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36. Make it easy for voters to navigate the polling place.
Where do they start? Do they have to move from station to station?
Where is the voting system for people with disabilities?
No. 02
Show traffic patterns

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39. Color and contrast help people quickly identify the purpose and
content of signs.
Combine color with text or shape for accessibility.
No. 03
Use appropriate color to identify types of
information

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43. For voting, make diagrams accurate to your voting system. Close-up
line drawings are better than photographs.
Use icons, arrows, or symbols for meaning, not for decoration.
No. 04
Be clear about actions voters must take.

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At check-in In the voting booth

48. Write in active voice.
Tell voters what to do. Avoid negative (don’t do) when possible.
No. 05
Provide clear information about what’s
allowed in the polling place.

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Provide clear
information
about what’s
allowed in the
polling place.
Write in active voice.
Tell voters what to do.
Avoid negative (don’t
do) when possible.

51. Write a heading or sentence to summarize the law. If possible,
paraphrase in plain language.
Include the source, so people can look it up.
Work with counsel to get early reviews.
No. 06
Communicate laws and regulations
appropriately.

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Communicate
laws and
regulations
appropriately.
Write a heading or
sentence to summarize
the law. If possible,
paraphrase in plain
language.
Include the source, so
people can look it up.
Work with counsel to
get early reviews.

54. Make it easy to compare the information between languages.
Limit signs to 2 languages.* One language should be English.
No. 07
Make it easy to read in all languages.
* English + 2 Asian languages may also work.

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56. Write short sentences.
Use simple words.
Think of the voter as “you.”
Write in the positive.
Use numbers on step-by-step instructions.
Keep paragraphs short.
No. 08
Use plain language.

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Before After
You have a right to cast
a provisional ballot if
your name is on the
voting rolls.
You have the right to
vote if you are a
registered voter even if
your name is not on the
list. You will vote using a
provisional ballot. Your
vote will be counted if
the Board of Elections
determines that you are
eligible to vote.

63. Use informational icons such as arrows and exclamation points to
draw attention to important information or to help voters quickly
scan dense information.
No. 09
Use icons to reinforce instructions.

66. Use a font large enough to be seen from a distance.
Use upper- and lowercase.
Use sans-serif fonts.
Use white space to separate items on the same sign or poster.
No. 10
Make the text easy to read.

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Make the text
easy to read.
It’s clear what is most
important here — not
everything is at the
same level.

68. Test and make iterative improvements.

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70. What happens before they arrive can make a difference in how
easily they get through the process when they get to the
polling location.
The voter journey starts and ends
outside the polling place

71. Many options for guiding voters through the
polling place
Younger voters
prefer online
sources of
information, but
not too much.
Text messages
pointing them
to details and
events are ideal.
Getting ready
• Websites
• Voter guides
• Out reach
• Media
• Emails
• Text messages
• Social media

72. Many options for guiding voters through the
polling place
Walk through
from the
parking lot /
public transit to
the room where
polling happens.
Make sure
voters feel
they’re getting
closer with each
step.
At the polling location
• signs
• flags
• traffic cones
• paths taped on floors
• greeters and guides
• sample practice ballots on hand
What have you tried?

73. Pro Tips
Help voters get
ready
Help voters get
oriented
Guide voters
through the
polling place
Create a cohesive
system that is
recognizable

74. Thank you!

75.
Dana Chisnell
dana@civicdesign.org
Center for Civic Design
civicdesign.org
@civicdesign
@danachis