Don't make me read!Helping voters find the information they need

Whitney Quesenbery

Center for Civic Design@civicdesign | @whitneyq

What makes election

materials so hard to read?

Ballots

read easily?

identify contests?

find instructions?

vote as intended?

How many votes do I get for governor?

Voter education

read easily?

identify sections?

understand who can register to vote

How many different topics are there on this page?

Ballot questions

read easily?

understand all of the words?

understand what the question is asking?

know how to vote?

Summary

Should the County Vehicle Abatement Program and vehicle registration fees (one dollar per vehicle and an additional two dollars for certain commercial vehicles payable upon registration of a vehicle) be renewed for a ten-year term beginning July 1, 2013, for the abatement and removal of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles?

Absentee Ballot Request

read easily?

understand?

complete accurately?

Absentee Ballot Request

read easily?

understand?

complete accurately?

Absentee ballot instructions

read easily?

follow instructions?

complete absentee ballot envelope correctly?

How do the steps match the pictures?

Absentee ballot instructions

read easily?

follow instructions?

complete absentee ballot envelope correctly?

When voters can't understand the

ballot, forms, and voter guides

they think that elections are

difficult, confusing, and complicated.

There's a lot of forces behind difficult-to-read information

We've always done it like that!

The curse of completeness.

It's legal. It's supposed to sound like that.

We don't have the resources.

Voters can't tell the difference.

Plain information is important because people...

have different degrees of literacy

do not always read carefully.

may have a cognitive disability

or a visual disability that can affect reading.

may not know (or read) the language well

43% of Americans have a reading disability

Below basic

30 million

14%

Basic

63 million

29%

Intermediate

95 million

44%

Proficient

28 million

13%

U.S. National Assessment of Adult Literacy http://nces.ed.gov/naal/kf_demographics.asp

Even skilled readers may be

rushed

distracted

tired

stressed

inexperienced

confused

We understand the problem

too much text ignored or skipped

hidden steps miss important actions

jargon and unfamiliar words misinterpret meaning

instructions in the wrong place make mistakes

passive voice (ambiguity) guess what to do

We know how to fix that

Write for voters

using clear, simple

language

Elections are full of jargon

• absentee ballot

• canvassing board

• contests

• legislation

• primary electon

• provisional ballot

• remedial

• unaffilated

• early voting

• rebuttal

• redistricting

• polls

• change parties

• endorsement

• split your vote

• affiliate

Even simple election words can be confusing

Vote by mail

Early voting

Vote at the polls

Keep it as short as possible

Use Avoid

find locate, identify

help assist

make sure verify, validate, prompt

put incorporate

use utilize

Write for action

Answer questions

Voters ask questions in their own ways

What's on the ballot?

Who do I support or vote for?

Who is running?

Who will I be voting for?

Who are the candidates?

Who supports the candidates?

What are the candidates’ positions on [specific issue]?

What are the ballot measures?

What are the pros and cons for the measures?

Does this measure mean a tax increases?

How does the official guide compare to the TV ads?

Who is in office right now?

Use active voice

Tell voters what to do rather than what not to do

Before

If that oval is not marked, your vote cannot be counted.

After

You must fill in the oval for your vote to count

Put the person doing the action before the verb

Before

Moving ahead is accomplished by touching the word Next

After

To go forward in the ballot, touch Next

Organize information

logically

Provide a roadmap

Provide clear choices

Organize information by activity or voters' goals

Group information needed to complete each option

Bite, snack, meal

1 page: 1 topic

This information was invisible

Plain language is a process

How to vote(1) Mark only with a writing instrument provided by the board of elections.

(2) To vote for a candidate whose name is printed on this ballot fill in the (insert oval or square, as applicable) above or next to the name of the candidate.

(3) To vote for a person whose name is not printed on this ballot write or stamp his or her name in the space labeled “write-in” that appears (insert at the bottom of the column, the end of the row or at the bottom of the candidate names, as applicable) for such office (and, if required by the voting system in use at such election, the instructions shall also include “and fill in the (insert oval or square, as applicable) corresponding with the write-in space in which you have written in a name”).

(4) To vote yes or no on a proposal, if any, that appears on the (indicate where on the ballot the proposal may appear) fill in the (insert oval or square, as applicable) that corresponds to your vote.

(5) Any other mark or writing, or any erasure made on this ballot outside the voting squares or blank spaces provided for voting will void this entire ballot.

(6) Do not overvote. If you select a greater number of candidates than there are vacancies to be filled, your ballot will be void for that public office, party position or proposal.

(7) If you tear, or deface, or wrongly mark this ballot, return it and obtain another. Do not attempt to correct mistakes on the ballot by making erasures or cross outs. Erasures or cross outs may invalidate all or part of your ballot. Prior to submitting your ballot, if you make a mistake in completing the ballot or wish to change your ballot choices, you may obtain and complete a new ballot. You have a right to a replacement ballot upon return of the original ballot.

(8) After completing your ballot, insert it into the ballot scanner and wait for the notice that your ballot has been successfully scanned. If no such notice appears, seek the assistance of an election inspector.

356 words

How to vote

Mark the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

To vote for a candidate whose name is not printed on the ballot, print the name clearly in the box labeled 'write-in', staying within the box.

Do not make any marks outside the spaces provided for voting. If you do, your ballot may not count.

The number of choices is listed for each contest. Do not mark the ballot for more candidates than allowed. If you do, your vote in that contest will not count.

If you make a mistake, or want to change your vote, ask a poll worker for a new ballot.

106 words

Let's untangle this ballot instruction

NOTICEIf you tear, deface, or make a mistake and wrongfully mark any ballot,

you must return it to the election board and receive a new ballot or set of ballots. To vote for a person whose name is printed on the ballot, darken the oval at the left of the person’s name. To vote for a person whose name is not printed on

the ballot, write the person’s name in the blank space, if any is provided, and darken the oval to the left.TO VOTE, DARKEN THE OVAL NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE, LIKE THIS

NOTICEIf you tear, deface, or make a mistake and wrongfully mark any ballot,

you must return it to the election board and receive a new ballot or set of ballots. To vote for a person whose name is printed on the ballot, darken the oval at the left of the person’s name. To vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot, write the person’s name in the blank space, if any is provided, and darken

the oval to the left.TO VOTE, DARKEN THE OVAL NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE, LIKE THIS

1. Put the instructions in a logical order

TO VOTE, DARKEN THE OVAL NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE, LIKE THIS

To vote for a person whose name is printed on the ballot, darken the oval at the left of the person’s name.

To vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot, write the person’s name in the blank space, if any is provided, and darken the oval to

the left.

If you tear, deface, or make a mistake and wrongfully mark any ballot, you must return it to the election board and receive a new ballot or set of

ballots

2. Remove centering and capital letters.

To vote, darken the oval next to your choice, like this

To vote for a person whose name is printed on the ballot, darken the oval at the left of the person’s name.

To vote for a person whose name is printed on the ballot, darken the oval at the left of the person’s name. To vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot, write the person’s name in the blank space, if any is provided, and darken the oval to the left.

If you tear, deface, or make a mistake and wrongfully mark any ballot, you must return it to the election board and receive a new ballot or set of ballots

3. Simplify the text to use common words

To vote, fill in the oval next to your choice, like this:

To vote for a person whose name is printed on the ballot, fill in the oval at the

left of the person’s name.

To vote for a person whose name is not on the ballot, write the person’s name

in the blank space, and fill in the oval next to it.

If you make a mistake marking your ballot, return it to the election board and

receive a new ballot or set of ballots.

4. Make the text active. Keep simplifying.

To vote, fill in the oval next to your choice, like this:

To vote for a person whose name is not on the ballot, write the person’s name

in the blank space, and fill in the oval next to it.

If you make a mistake marking your ballot, ask a poll worker for a new ballot.

5. Add an illustration and a heading

To vote, fill in the oval next to your choice

To vote for a person whose name is not on the

ballot, write the name in the blank space, and fill in

the oval next to it.

If you make a mistake marking your ballot, ask a

poll worker for a new ballot.

How can we improve these instructions?

This is Your Secrecy Envelope

What are the most important things?

Are these steps in the right order?

Is each one a separate step?

Are they all real steps?

Instructions to Vote Your Ballot:

1. Mark your ballot and enclose it in this Secrecy Envelope. You are

not required to use this or any Secrecy Envelope for your ballot.

2. Place this Secrecy Envelope containing your ballot in the colored

Official Ballot Envelope. Do not enclose your ballot and someone

else’s in the same colored Official Ballot Envelope. Every voter has

the right to vote his or her ballot in secret.

3. Sign your name at the X on the back of the outer colored

Official Ballot Envelope. Envelopes that are unsigned cannot be

counted.

4. Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day to be

counted. Ballots not mailed must be delivered to a Ballot-Drop

Location prior to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

This is Your Secrecy EnvelopeHow to vote

1. Mark your ballot.

2. Put it in this Secrecy Envelope. You do not have to use this or any

Secrecy Envelope for your ballot.

3. Put the Secrecy Envelope in the colored Official Ballot Envelope.

Or, just put your ballot in the Official Ballot Envelope.

Do not put anything but your ballot in the colored Official Ballot

Envelope.

4. Sign your name at the X on the back of the outer colored Official Ballot

Envelope. Envelopes that are unsigned cannot be counted.

5. Mail your ballot. It must be postmarked no later than Election Day to be

counted.

Or, take your ballot to a Ballot-Drop Location before 8:00 p.m. on

Election Day.

Lets help voters follow these instructions

1. Put instructions in a logical order.

2. Clean up the text formatting.

3. Simplify the text.

4. Make the instructions active. Keep simplifying.

5. Add an illustration?

INSTRUCTIONS TO MAIL-IN VOTER

MARKING YOUR BALLOT:1. MARK THE BALLOT FOR THE CANDIDATE OF YOUR CHOICE2. INSERT COMPLETED BALLOT IN THE ENVELOPE3. SEAL THE ENVELOPE (DO NOT DETACH THE CERTIFICATE).

FILLING OUT THE CERTIFICATEComplete the certificate attached to the flap of this envelope and sign the certificate.

MAILING YOUR BALLOT:4. Enclose the envelope with flap attached, in the outer return envelope.5. SEAL THE OUTER ENVELOPE.6. AFFIX PROPER POSTAGE IF MAILING7. MAIL TO THE COUNTYR BOARD OF ELECTIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. UNLESS THE

BALLOT IS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS BEFORE THE CLOSING OF THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY, IT CANNOT BE COUNTED

Text of the instructions

Let's help voters understand this ballot question.

Summary

Should the County Vehicle Abatement Program and vehicle registration fees (one dollar per vehicle and an additional two dollars for certain commercial vehicles payable upon registration of a vehicle) be renewed for a ten-year term beginning July 1, 2013, for the abatement and removal of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles?

1. Put the phrases in a logical order.

2. Find and change (or define) words voters might not know.

3. Simplify the text.

4. Make sure the meaning is clear.

Think about how voters will read the

form, instructions, or text

Can voters...

read all of the information easily?

navigate through the form to find everything they need?

identify the different sections of the ballot or form?

find, read, and follow instructions accurately?

Designing usable ballots

Use lowercase letters

Avoid centered type

Use big enough type

Pick one sans serif font

Support process and

navigation

Use clear, simple language

Use accurate instructional

illustrations

Use informational icons (only)

Use contrast and color to

support meaning

Show what’s most important

Can voters...

understand what each instruction means?

follow instructions easily?

complete the ballot without making mistakes?

respond appropriately to error messages?

Writing instructions voters understand

At the beginning of the ballot explain how to vote

Put instructions where voters need them

Include information that will prevent voters from making errors

Write short sentences

Use short, simple, everyday words

Write in active voice, with the person doing comes before the verb

Write in the positive

When giving instructions that are more than one step, use a numbered list

Keep paragraphs short

Separate paragraphs by a space

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent

Field Guides

Whitney Quesenberywhitneyq@centerforcivicdesign.org@whitneyq

centerforcivicdesign.org@civicdesign

Thank you.