Election Administrators / Election Designers

Election Administrators Election Designers

Contents Introduction About U.S. Election Administration Design in Election Administration

2 5 12

Polling Site Selection & Layout

17

Voter Registration & Communication

31

Election Worker Engagement

41

Ballot Design & Collection

51

Processing & Reporting the Vote

63

Conclusion About this book

75 76

Introduction Election administration, once an overlooked aspect of government, is now recognized as an essential infrastructure of democracy. Our elections require vigilant attention, skilled talent, and adequate resources to deliver accurate and trusted results.

Increasingly, the usefulness of human-centered design in government organizations and in the public sector is being recognized. After collaborating with election officials and election experts in 2020 to navigate the challenges of voting during a pandemic, Stanford’s d.school gained a deep appreciation for how design profoundly plays a role in election administration. Election officials are logistical masters, capable of administering elections despite a myriad of constraints. Many of the decisions they make are inherently design decisions—whether it is the layout of spaces, the voter experiences, or the creation of clear graphics, to name a few.

This booklet, developed alongside an exhibit to highlight the role of design in election administration,

2

showcases the many design decisions election officials make in the months before, during and after an election. The content is organized around five areas where local election administrators have the most influence over elections and the voter experience. Across these topics, we have outlined some compelling design questions, inviting more engagement and involvement from those eager to support effective elections.

Our goal is to celebrate election officials, not only as the logistical experts that they are, but also as invisible designers who strive tirelessly to improve the way they administer elections, all the while overcoming new and increasingly complex hurdles and constraints along the way.

AUDIENCE LENSES We recognize that different audiences will find distinct value in the content, questions, and examples we have curated. To help guide your reading, we have identified four audiences and have provided provocations to offer distinct perspectives as you engage with this booklet. These suggestions can help you focus on specific areas or highlight relevant questions to consider as you explore the content.

Election Officials

Design Students

This includes local election officials and staff, as well as others in the election space, like poll workers, state officials, state leaders, and vendors that serve election offices.

Students currently pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in design or who are considering design as a possible career.

• Where are areas of election administration where design has and could play a role?

• What are examples of design improving election administration and the election experience?

• How does a document like this offer a fresh perspective on the complexity of elections?

Professional Designers Designers currently working outside of the public sector, and those looking to expand their understanding of where it’s possible to use design.

• How does design show up in civic spaces?

• What might it look like to apply your design skills to elections?

• Where might design be able to provide value for democracy?

• What does design look like outside of physical products?

• What challenges do election officials tackle with design?

• How does design play out in complex, multi-stakeholder spaces?

General Public Individuals interested in understanding more about elections or are curious about different forms of design.

• What are all the things your election officials are responsible for?

• What types of design are new or unexpected?

• How might citizens play a role in shaping how government functions?

Elections don’t just happen.

They’re designed and administered by over 10,000 local election offices across the United States.

4

ABOUT U.S. ELECTION ADMINISTRATION To ensure fair, free, and safe elections, officials invest endless hours paying attention to the details of running elections. They consider every aspect of the voting process, raising questions like: • Where should we place polling locations, drop boxes, and signs?

• What kinds of instructions, ballots, and voting booths serve voters best?

• How can we effectively train poll workers?

And their jobs are only increasing in complexity.

Election officials not only have to think about administering the opportunity to vote, but now they must increasingly think about cybersecurity threats, supply chain issues, and ensuring the physical safety of their staff.

The entire election ecosystem is extremely complex and includes numerous entities, evolving requirements, and nuanced state-specific policies.

In this section, we discuss the different levels of election administration, give a sense of the diverse skills needed by election officials and discuss how administrative duties occur far beyond Election Day.

▲ Election workers process absentee ballots in Michigan.

5

How state and local offices administer U.S. elections Elections are not federally administered: the voting experience and operations are designed and implemented at the state and local level.

State and local agencies are responsible for election administration before, during, and after each election. Voting during elections occurs in

local jurisdictions that are typically delineated by city or county legislation.

STATE ADMINISTRATION Much of the legislation and oversight for elections happens at the state level.

States have different ways of overseeing elections, as denoted below. Regardless of the governing body, in each state chief election officials and/or the election board or commissions are typically responsible for: • Creating state election laws and ensuring they are followed by local officials;

• Administering statewide voter registration; • Creating a testing and verification procedure for voting equipment; and • Supporting local election officials in their work.

26 states have an elected Chief Election Official ABOUT U.S. ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

6

16 states have an appointed Chief Election Official 8 states have an Election Board or Commission or a combination of a Chief Election Official and Board or Commission

LOCAL ADMINISTRATION Local elections offices are responsible for the on-the-ground operations that voters experience in each election—and this depends on the unique dynamics of each jurisdiction.

There are over 10,000 local jurisdictions in the United States, each independently administering elections, within the bounds of their state’s legislation and guidelines. The size of each jurisdiction varies greatly.

Regardless of how many voters are being served, there are election professionals responsible for running each election, including creating ballots, setting up polling sites, collecting and processing ballots, and reporting results. In addition to local election officials, there are also poll workers, board workers,

SMALL

field rovers, troubleshooters, temporary workers, and full-time employees who support election operations.

It takes hundreds of thousands of Americans to conduct elections.

The office size segmentation illustrated below describes the range in size and capacity of local elections administration offices. The original segmentation, which includes five categories, can be found in the 2022 Democracy Fund/ Reed College Survey of Local Election Officials.

MEDIUM

LARGE

< 5K VOTERS

5K–250K VOTERS

> 250K VOTERS

Typically one individual working part-time. Most election offices are in this category and one-third do not have a full-time staff member.

Typically 1–2 individuals working full-time with some additional part-time staff.

Large teams of full-time employees. 8% of such offices support 75% of the voters in the U.S.

Carson City, Nevada has 40,000 registered voters.

Hunterdon County, New Jersey has almost 100,000 registered voters

The two largest jurisdictions are Maricopa County, Arizona with 2.4 million, and Los Angeles County, California with 5.6 million registered voters

Two of the smallest jurisdictions are Dixville, New Hampshire with 5 registered voters and Drew, Maine with 24 voters

A wide range of competencies are needed in local election administration.

Many voters don’t realize all the skills needed to successfully run an election. Local election administrators’ responsibilities go well beyond providing ballots and counting votes. They must take on a

wide (and growing) range of tasks and duties to run effective elections. These duties are logistical, relational, managerial, and technical—and are undertaken throughout the year.

Ongoing

DESIGN IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

8

Election Preparation

Election Night & Beyond

▲ The Election Administrator Competencies Wheel, created by U.S. Election Assistance Commission, displays the array of competencies elections officials must take on.

▲ Arlington County, Virginia election officials take an oath prior to opening the polls on presidential primary day.

⊲ An election administrator processes voteby-mail ballots in Maryland.

Running an election is a year-round endeavor.

A lot goes into planning an election. Starting months before Election Day, election officials are processing candidate petitions, securing polling locations, ordering materials, and hiring and training staff and poll workers. The complex logistics of ensuring that our democracy is accessible and secure requires diligent attention to every facet of the process.

Tasks necessary to run a fair and free election start many months prior to Election Day, and extend beyond. Some tasks are highlighted in the call-outs below, and approximately when they might be done.

Design plays a significant role in these selected tasks, and they relate to the chapters that follow.

Election Calendar 2021 General Election

Election A sample elections calendar created by the Elections Group Date 11/2/2021 Start (+/-)

DESIGN IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

10

Date

Primary Process

Sub-Process

Task

-200

4/16/2021 Voting Locations

New Sites

-180 -180 -180 -180 -152

5/6/2021 Candidate and Data Services 5/6/2021 Communications 5/6/2021 Mail Voting 5/6/2021 Management 6/3/2021 Mail Voting

Petition Filing External Application for Ballot Maps/GIS Applications for Ballot

-140 -107 -100 -100

6/15/2021 Mail Voting 7/18/2021 Mail Voting Candidate and Data Services Candidate and Data Services

Application for Ballot Application for Ballot Ballot Preparation Campaign Finance

-100 -100 -100 -100 -100 -100 -100

7/25/2021 Communications 7/25/2021 Election Day Voting 7/25/2021 Election Day Voting 7/25/2021 Mail Voting 7/25/2021 Mail Voting 7/25/2021 Mail Voting 7/25/2021 Mail Voting

Communication with Voters Voter and Community outreach ePollBooks Inventory and repair EPBs Supplies Inventory all supplies and order what is missing Strategize encouraging online application Applications for Ballot Process applications Application for Ballot

-100 -100 -100 -100 -100 -100 -100 -100 -100 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90 -90

7/25/2021 Mail Voting 7/25/2021 Poll workers 7/25/2021 Voter Registration 7/25/2021 Voter Registration 7/25/2021 Voter Registration 7/25/2021 Voter Registration 7/25/2021 Voter Registration 7/25/2021 Voter Registration 7/25/2021 Voting Locations 8/4/2021 Candidate and Data Services 8/4/2021 Candidate and Data Services 8/4/2021 Candidate and Data Services 8/4/2021 Candidate and Data Services 8/4/2021 Management 8/4/2021 Election Day Voting 8/4/2021 Election Day Voting 8/4/2021 Election Day Voting 8/4/2021 Management 8/4/2021 Poll workers 8/4/2021 Poll workers 8/4/2021 Voting Locations

Supplies Recruitment List Maintenance List Maintenance List Maintenance List Maintenance Online Registration Paper Registration Existing Sites Petition Filing Petition Filing Petition Filing Maps/GIS Security Plan Supplies Voting Equipment Voting Equipment Security Plan Training Training Existing Sites

-90 -75 -75 -65 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -60 -45 -60 -60 -60 -60 -55 -50 -45 -50 -45 -45 -45

8/4/2021 Voting Locations 8/19/2021 Poll workers 8/19/2021 Voting Locations 8/29/2021 Poll workers 9/3/2021 Candidate and Data Services 9/3/2021 Candidate and Data Services 9/3/2021 Election Day Voting 9/3/2021 Election Day Voting 9/3/2021 Election Day Voting 9/3/2021 Mail Voting 9/3/2021 Mail Voting 9/3/2021 Poll workers 9/18/2021 Poll workers 9/3/2021 Poll workers 9/3/2021 Poll workers 9/3/2021 Voting Locations 9/3/2021 Mail Voting 9/8/2021 Mail Voting 9/13/2021 Mail Voting 9/18/2021 Mail Voting 9/13/2021 Mail Voting 9/18/2021 Mail Voting 9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services 9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services

Existing Sites Training Existing Sites Training Ballot Preparation Ballot Preparation Supplies Distribution ePollBooks In-Person Absentee In-Person Absentee Placement Placement Recruitment Training Existing Sites Inbound Processing Application for Ballot Outbound Ballots Outbound Ballots Outbound Ballots Inbound Processing Ballot Preparation Ballot Preparation

-45

9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services

-45 -45

9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services 9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services

-45

9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services

-45 -45 -45

9/18/2021 Communications 9/18/2021 Communications 9/18/2021 Communications

-45

9/18/2021 Election Day Voting

Application for Ballot In-Person Absentee

Polling site visits, audits and survey

Notes size; accessibility; internet; conflicting uses; special events

Plan petition receiving - create log and spreadsheet; draft confirmation letter; review vendor ballot creation plan.

Review all forms and form letters for design/usability Decide on distribution method for application; download; blank applications to households; preprinted direct mail in Redistricting / Redrawing of election districts (precincts) Contract for production & outbound mailing work; finalize specifications Outbound application envelope approval from USPS; consider non-profit, first class, business reply, etc.

Production of materials Petition data entry Share campaign finance due dates with candidates

Voter notifications (incomplete apps, rejected apps) Order envelopes and materials Confirm envelopes, paper and other material are available for outbound ballots New recruitment efforts Quality control and record validation ERIC analysis Address confirmation letter - mailing; handling returns Correspondence & research on incomplete or inaccurate registrations Data Entry Data Entry Send availability letters to polling places Receive petitions Enter candidates in list and proof list Handle challenges to petitions (if any) Taxing district confirmation Audit compliance with security protocols Build generic/non-location specific kits Inventory and repair equipment Set L&A testing date Review physical security of warehouse and central office Set training locations and dates/times Recruit, hire and train the trainers Execute contracts/IGAs

Confirm suitability training notices Send out confirmation notices to Election Day polling places Supplies and setup Data entry of candidates lists from other offices Confirm ballot delivery date Review and update all forms and posters Prepare Shipping contract Order additional poll book supplies Test on-site equipment Assign troubleshooting responsibilities Gather payroll/tax forms and other data Send out placement letters Follow up that the JOE has filled their roster Training of poll workers List of polling locations and judges to Matheson Ballot drop box sites approved by Board Mail/absentee application mail drop Send out UOCAVA ballots Proof artwork files for outbound ballots Finalize outbound mail dates (initial and supplemental) Coordinate intake of USPS ballots Receive sign-off of ballot styles by required parties Proofing of contest and candidate lists Prep ballot styles (proof lists of active jurisdictions, Ballot Preparation geography) Input ballot language (contests, referendum headers and Ballot Preparation text, etc.)

Ballot Preparation Create ballot audio Create special ballots (UOCAVA, emergency, provisional Ballot Preparation if they differ) Design + print voter information notice and mailing Communication with Voters information Website Upload ballot styles and audio ballot to website Website Sample ballot pubished to website Print special ballots for polling places (Provisional and Supplies Emergency) along with envelopes & forms

Starting 200 days before Election Day, officials find and vet polling sites.

Engage voters in the next elections (100 days prior).

For over the counter ballots community outreach and advertising; $250 for poll workers - $150 for ED, $20 training,

Begin to recruit new poll workers (100 days prior).

Review voter rolls, and prepare for new registration (100 days prior).

Bag Wednesday or Thursday before Combine with L&A - by necessity this year create public handout

one contract needs to go through GSA ADA, physical security, parking, internet/power supply, access restrooms

printed material, snacks, forms

printer rolls, poll books Ballot on demand printer if there is a Will Dominion be available problem we will do phone calls in lieu of letters

Matheson is delivery company

Finalize ballots and send files for printing (45 days prior).

-45

9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services

-45 -45

9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services 9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services

-45

9/18/2021 Candidate and Data Services

-45 -45 -45

9/18/2021 Communications 9/18/2021 Communications 9/18/2021 Communications

-45

9/18/2021 Election Day Voting

Prep ballot styles (proof lists of active jurisdictions, geography) Input ballot language (contests, referendum headers and Ballot Preparation text, etc.)

Ballot Preparation Create ballot audio Create special ballots (UOCAVA, emergency, provisional Ballot Preparation if they differ) Design + print voter information notice and mailing Communication with Voters information Website Upload ballot styles and audio ballot to website Website Sample ballot pubished to website Print special ballots for polling places (Provisional and Supplies Emergency) along with envelopes & forms

-45 -60

9/18/2021 Mail Voting 9/3/2021 Poll workers

Ballot Drop Box Placement

-45

9/18/2021 Poll workers

Recruitment

-40 -40 -40 -40 -35

9/23/2021 Election Day Voting 9/23/2021 Mail Voting 9/23/2021 Poll workers 9/23/2021 Election Day Voting 9/28/2021 Poll workers

Command Center Inbound Processing Placement Voting Equipment Recruitment

Submit ballot drop box locations to the Secretary of State Assign poll workers to voting locations Recruit, hire and train temporary operations personnel (clerical/call center support, warehouse support, etc.)

Finalize HQ phone bank and field operation plans- staff counts, selection, placement, training, etc.

Rejected ballot notification and cure process Verify partisan balance (as required) ?

Statutory letter to County party chairs for L&A mail and email Done by phone to JOE Send out availability letters to existing list of JOEs

-35 -35 -33 -32

9/28/2021 Communications 9/28/2021 Election Day Voting 9/30/2021 Election Day Voting 10/1/2021 Election Day Voting

Website Voting Equipment Voting Equipment Voting Equipment

Make sure website has Election Day, in-person absentee and vote-by-mail information Power up machines for charging in prep for L&A make sure HVAC is working; need it cool Preparation for L&A testing public guide, demo machine, signed areas, clean up Statutory notice for public test newspaper

-30 -30 -30 -30 -30 -30

10/3/2021 Election Day Voting 10/3/2021 Mail Voting 10/3/2021 Mail Voting 10/3/2021 Mail Voting 10/3/2021 Voting Locations 10/3/2021 Poll workers

Command Center Inbound Processing Inbound Processing Inbound Processing Existing Sites Placement

-30 -29 -29

10/3/2021 Mail Voting 10/4/2021 Election Day Voting 10/4/2021 Poll workers

Inbound Processing Voting Equipment Placement

-28 -25

10/5/2021 Communications 10/8/2021 Poll workers

Communication with Voters Design, print, and mail the sample ballots Training Update training material (if necessary)

-21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -20 -20 -20 -20 -15 -14 -14

10/12/2021 Communications 10/12/2021 Communications 10/12/2021 Election Day Voting 10/12/2021 Election Day Voting 10/12/2021 Election Day Voting 10/12/2021 Mail Voting 10/12/2021 Mail Voting 10/12/2021 Mail Voting 10/12/2021 Mail Voting 10/13/2021 Election Day Voting 10/13/2021 Mail Voting 10/13/2021 Mail Voting 10/13/2021 10/18/2021 10/19/2021 Candidate and Data Services 10/19/2021 Management

Communication with Voters Create "Wait Time" map or chart Website Confirm polling places are correct on the website Command Center Assign Election Day phone personnel Command Center Assign Field Techs ePollBooks Program poll books Ballot Drop Box Install mail ballot drop boxes Ballot Drop Box Create drop box pick-up plan, chain of custody forms Ballot Drop Box Select/assign drop box pick-up staff Ballot Drop Box Create daily collection routes Supplies Prepare sample ballots Inbound Processing Prepare for stakeholder tour of operations Inbound Processing Voter intent guide and process for write-in adjudication DOS MOCK ELECTION VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE Reports/Statistics Zero tape memo SURE and SCYTL Security Plan Review COOP

-14

10/19/2021 Communications

Communication with Voters Publish formal public notice (newspaper publication)

-14 -14 -14 -14 -14 -14 -14

10/19/2021 Communications 10/19/2021 Election Day Voting 10/19/2021 Election Day Voting 10/19/2021 Election Day Voting 10/19/2021 Election Day Voting 10/19/2021 Election Day Voting 10/19/2021 Election Day Voting

Communication with Voters New voter registration cards for new polling location Command Center Review re-supply logistics (for missing/broken items) Distribution Batch or prep materials at loading dock ePollBooks Test e-pollbooks (may need to adjust date) ePollBooks Secondary update ePollBooks Perform final data update Supplies Review/create supply checklist for each kit

-14 -20 -14 -10

10/19/2021 Election Day Voting 10/13/2021 Mail Voting 10/19/2021 Mail Voting 10/23/2021 Election Day Voting

Supplies Inbound Processing Inbound Processing ePollBooks

-10 -8 -7 -7

10/23/2021 Communications 10/25/2021 Voting Locations 10/26/2021 10/26/2021 Communications

-7

10/26/2021 Election Day Voting

-7

10/26/2021 Election Day Voting

-7

10/26/2021 Mail Voting

Communication with Voters Proclamation of polling places advertised in newspaper Approved at Election Board meeting Existing Sites Call to verify keys are available/doors will be opened APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT Website Publish final polling place document Provide final notices to judges -- priorities, special ballots, Command Center new processes, changes since training, etc.

Plymouth and Larksville (signs for judge box) Prepare HQ call tracking and analysis (also includes Command Center emails, social media posts, etc.) analyze calls for trends and data issues Voting history input (to update reports, website, epollbooks, etc.

Inbound Processing

-7 -7 -6

10/26/2021 Poll workers 10/26/2021 Poll workers 10/27/2021 Election Day Voting

Placement Training Voting Equipment

-6 -6 -5 -5 -4 -4

10/27/2021 Election Day Voting 10/27/2021 Election Day Voting 10/28/2021 Communications 10/28/2021 Election Day Voting 10/29/2021 Election Day Voting 10/29/2021 Election Day Voting

Supplies Command Center Website Distribution Command Center Command Center

-4 -4

10/29/2021 Election Day Voting 10/29/2021 Election Day Voting

Command Center Supplies

-3 -3

10/30/2021 Election Day Voting 10/30/2021 Election Day Voting

Command Center Distribution

Ballot Preparation

checklists of materials to be returned by Finalize election night check-in process, field staffing, and precinct; transport (team of two poll workers notice to poll workers or sheriff) Order mail trays and other supplies for inbound process Signs for ballot drop boxes Finalize site for mail ballot counting and sorting Amesbury Courtroom Identify election day contacts POC and primary and secondary # List of poll workers we don't want to use again Mail ballot processing SOPs - signs, trays, setup of work area Conduct L&A testing and final machine prep signs, supplies, final sign-off, sealed Poll worker management tool implementation plan work with USDR to build out timeline

Pack all supplies for polling places Setup and test adjudication stations Assign personnel for inbound ballot processing Pack and stage for shipping

Confirmation calls/emails Newsletter or other post-training news / tips Stage and prepare for delivery Cobine generic kit with election/precinct specific materials into supply bag Prepare phone bank - phones, supplies Set up ENR through SCYTL Deliver carts and scanners to polling places Pack rover/field tech supply bags Onboard and train Field Techs/rovers Runthrough with county and vendor partners and staff Deliver all supplies to poll workers Identify which locations might need a rover to start the day or needs some extra help Delivery and retrieval of e-pollbooks

load data; 22nd cutoff for any changes Needs to include any signs

Prep to receive and process mail-in ballots.

(30 days prior).

Install mail dropboxes (21 days prior).

This should be adjusted based on volume

Election Night Reporting?

12 rovers equipment manifest or log L&A type test Can we do this??

Supply lists and labels Includes PPE, paper, power cords, power strips, labels, etc.

Ask, "are you still planning to work on Eday?" equipment manifest or log

hunt groups, call forwarding, tech line

Copies of training material rules of engagement, subject matter Dominion, ES&S, Legal, Sherrif, etc. - internal comms protocols, expectations, etc. unless doing pickup or location delivery Confirm lack of trained poll workers

-3

10/30/2021 Election Day Voting

-1

11/1/2021

-1 -1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 3

11/1/2021 Election Day Voting 11/1/2021 Election Day Voting 11/2/2021 Mail Voting 11/2/2021 Mail Voting 11/2/2021 Mail Voting 11/2/2021 Mail Voting 11/3/2021 Candidate and Data Services 11/3/2021 Election Day Voting 11/3/2021 Voter Registration 11/5/2021 Communications

3

11/5/2021 Post-Election

3

11/5/2021 Post-Election

3

11/5/2021 Post-Election

3 3 3

11/5/2021 Poll workers 11/5/2021 Poll workers 11/5/2021 Election Day Voting

7 7

11/9/2021 Poll workers 11/9/2021

Identify high risk locations - those that might need an overflow pool judge or a rover to start the day or needs Command Center some extra help Assign them to locations with a shortage of assigned or confirmed or trained poll workers Last day to submit for delivery military and overseas absentee ballots Final Telecomm Test for Command Center HQ (Phones & Command Center New Election Judge Comms Software) hotlne and software for poll workers Distribution Setup day for poll workers to review supply checklist hand over of keys, phone, epb etc.?

Inbound Processing Adjudication Inbound Processing Duplication Inbound Processing Ballot scanning Inbound Processing Validation Reports/Statistics Voting history input Distribution Post-election pick-up of equipment Provisional Voter VerificationReseach to confirm validity of vote Website Upload turnout statistics Official canvass - write-ins/adjudication for voter intent Canvass (more details needed) Official canvass - rejected mail ballot adjudication (more Canvass details needed) Audit (more details coming once mail ballot processing Audit plan locked in) Poll worker timesheet, payroll list, proofing, paycheck Placement creation & mailing Training Receive and analyze feedback from lead poll worker Distribution Post-election equipment receiving Verify poll workers attended training before issuing check Placement Deadline for overseas and military ballots

15 30

11/17/2021 Voting Locations 12/2/2021 Management

Existing Sites Records

Work to count the votes: scanning, adjudication, duplication, and validation (election day and the days following).

Official canvas and audit of the vote.

(3 days after the election).

Pay (and thank!) poll workers (7 days after election).

Pay for site usage (if required) Store/archive ballots

DESIGN IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION Our election administrators are the de facto designers for the central act of our democracy—the voting experience.

Election officials are our neighbors, our family members, our friends. They are elected, appointed, hired, and enlisted—and they come with many titles: clerk, recorder, registrar, auditor, supervisor, probate judge, assessor, commissioner. Because local

election officials are responsible for a diverse set of operations and voter experiences throughout the year, in practice they must embody design mindsets, approaches, and skills.

DESIGN IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

▲ The election staff of Dubuque, Iowa (48,759 registered voters in 2024).

12

The staff of the Elections Bureau, in Doña Ana County, New Mexico (132,379 registered voters in 2024).

Design plays a valuable role in many aspects of election administration.

While most election administrators are not designers in title, there are many design practices they embody and many products of design they utilize in their work—all across a multitude of areas of work in order to administer each election.

DESIGN PRACTICES IN ELECTIONS Design is a broad field with many sub-disciplines. Six of these disciplines (or practices) that are relevant to elections are highlighted below.

GRAPHIC AND COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN

DESIGN IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

14

PRODUCT DESIGN

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

The visual, graphic, and textual design of artifacts and systems.

The intention is to create clear communication and intuitive use.

The design of physical items people may use. Considering the affordances of the product improves the experience of the user.

The design of instructional materials and learning experiences. The objective is to create engaging and effective learning.

EXPERIENCE DESIGN

PROCESS DESIGN

SYSTEMS DESIGN

The work of creating a productive and positive experience for people.

People’s need can be met through the design of physical space, services, and interfaces.

The design of workflows and procedures. This is used to streamline operations and create repeatable and predictable tasks of the process.

The planning and creation of systems that undergird human and societal life. This requires consideration of how experiences, subsystems, and processes work together.

AREAS WHERE DESIGN PLAYS A ROLE In every jurisdiction, election officials are carrying out many of the same functions—even if there are distinctions in the details. In this book we have focused on five areas where design has played a significant role in local elections administration, and where design can continue to contribute.

Polling Site Selection & Layout > Where should we place voting sites to maximize access?

> How can we design polling sites for greater accessibility?

> How can we effectively use polling site space to serve voters?

> How can we best guide voters through the voting experience?

Voter Registration & Communication > How can we design materials that allow voters to register successfully?

> How can we design online registration to serve all eligible voters?

> Where can we provide voters with registration opportunities?

> How can we keep voters informed about elections?

Election Worker Engagement > How can we attract and recruit election workers?

> How can we appreciate and celebrate election workers for the work they do?

> How can we design training of election workers to be engaging and effective?

Ballot Design & Collection > How can we help voters easily navigate the ballot?

> How can we design secure and efficient drop boxes for ballots?

> How can we design ballots and voting methods that are accessible to all types of voters?

> How can we design vote-by-mail systems to serve voters and allow efficient processing?

> How can we offer voters ways to successfully return their ballots?

Processing & Reporting the Vote > How can we design ballot processing for efficiency and accuracy?

> How can we set the right expectations for when a race could be called?

> How can we provide the public with transparency into how votes are counted and recorded?

> How can we present election results so the public can access and comprehend them?

> How can we design systems to transport and process ballots securely?

Polling Site Selection & Layout Election officials design the voters’ most direct experience democracy when they select where the polls will be located, what specific sites will be used, and how those sites are set up.

For many Americans, voting in person is their primary experience with elections. Voters experience ease or difficulty finding and accessing their polling site, efficient visits or long wait times, and clear or confusing procedures and navigation. Behind these voters’ experiences are design decisions election administrators make in selecting polling sites, ensuring proper access for all voters, and creating layouts of the sites and signage for efficient flow of voters through the ballot casting process.

⊳ A polling site set up in a train station in Virginia.

Where should we place voting sites to maximize access?

Election officials begin designing the voters’ experience when they select where the polls will be located and what specific sites will be used.

Officials have many constraints and design decisions when picking a polling location. One consideration is if the site is accessible—it must have adequate parking, public transportation options, and compliance with disability access regulations. They also look at whether the space can accommodate anticipated voter turnout by analyzing population density, demographic data, and historical voter

POLLING SITE SELECTION AND LAYOUT

18

turnout. Security and logistical considerations are also taken into account to ensure the safety and smooth functioning of polling places. Overall, the process involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including community representatives and advocacy groups, to make informed decisions that promote transparency, inclusivity, and democratic participation.

Examples of potential polling sites ▲ (top) A former one-room schoolhouse in Story County, Iowa. ⊲ (right) A garage in San Francisco, California. ⊳ (opposite) Su Nueva Laundromat in West Lawn, Chicago, Illinois.

The USC Center for Inclusive Democracy’s “Voting Location and Outreach Tool” is an interactive web-based mapping system that identifies areas within a half mile where voting locations will likely have the most success in serving voters, based on customizable criteria.

POLLING SITE SELECTION AND LAYOUT

20

The Center for Inclusive Democracy: “Voting Location and Outreach Tool”

How can we effectively use polling site space to serve voters?

The physical design of voting sites impacts the voting experience and efficacy.

Design of the arrangement and flow of polling places play a key role in the voter experience. The placement of materials, the stages of the voting process, and the flow of voter movement throughout the space can impact the time it takes to vote and ultimately the voters’ confidence in the election.

POLLING SITE SELECTION AND LAYOUT

22

▲ ⊲ The State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia served as an official early voting location for Fulton County in 2020.

This huge polling site was created in partnership with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks team. The arena was configured with hundreds of ballot-marking devices to serve voters.

The flow of voters must be considered to create an intuitive and efficient voting experience. Considering the layout of the site in advance, and providing guidance to poll workers who often set up sites, can significantly improve the in-person voting experience and overall efficiency of a polling location.

▲ A layout created by the URI VOTES Polling Location Layout Diagrams tool.

Tools can be used to help design the layout of the room and the flow of voters throughout the space. For example, the University of Rhode Island’s URI VOTES Polling Location Diagrams tool allows officials to plan layouts and create models of voting environments. These models can then produce simulations of process flows and diagrams to guide the set-up.

POLLING SITE SELECTION AND LAYOUT

24

URI VOTES Polling Location Layout Diagrams Tool

⊲ A polling site set up in a gymnasium in Guilford, New Hampshire—with layout, signage, and wayfinding to organize and direct the voting process.

How can we design sites for greater accessibility?

All voting sites must accommodate those with physical disabilities and conform to ADA standards.

The vast array of types of places and buildings used, and the temporary pop-up nature of polling sites, present the challenge of evaluating and adapting each polling location.

To the right, an overhead view of a polling place shows accessible routes and maneuvering space, from the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Checklist for Polling Places document.

POLLING SITE SELECTION AND LAYOUT

26

⊳ A voter checks in at a polling location in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

U.S. Dept of Justice ADA Checklist for Polling Places

How can we best guide voters through the voting experience?

Don’t underestimate signage and wayfinding communications.

The voter experience is impacted by the clarity and confidence in their required actions. Visual and physical communication in the space can greatly reduce confusion, decrease wait times, and reduce the verbal communications load on available site staff. Proper signage throughout polling sites and wayfinding tools (like tape on the ground, posts and barriers, color coding, and notations of different zones for different tasks and different people) are important tools for this communication.

POLLING SITE SELECTION AND LAYOUT

28

Examples of elections signage (clockwise from top) Signage for curbside voting in North Carolina; an early-voting site in DeKalb County, Georgia; a voting site in Gwinnett County, Georgia; a drop-off site in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; inside the polling site on primary day in Wisconsin; signage at the voting tabulator in North Carolina; a multilingual “next” sign in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Voter Registration & Communication In order to participate in elections, voters must be registered and keep their registration data up to date. Local election officials must also communicate with the voters in their jurisdiction on the information needed to navigate voting procedures and deadlines.

Election officials are in communication with the public throughout the year to engage people in registration, inform voters of upcoming elections, share specific details of where and how to vote, and notify people of many other aspects of elections. Voter registration is a central piece of this voter engagement. Providing opportunities to register, reducing unnecessary complexity, and eliminating errors are all opportunities for good design to shine.

⊳ A drive-through voter registration site in Ohio. Drive-through registration adds another option for voters, in addition to walk-up, mail-in, and online registration.

MOISTE

FRANKLIN PA 16323-0831 (814) 432-9514

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY WOLF BLDG 45 N SECOND ST EASTON PA 18042-3695 (610) 559-3055

WARREN COUNTY 204 FOURTH AVE WARREN PA 16365-2399 (814) 728-3401

BLAIR COUNTY 423 ALLEGHENY ST STE 043 HOLLIDAYSBURG PA 16648-2022 (814) 693-3150

CUMBERLAND COUNTY 37 E HIGH ST STE 104 CARLISLE PA 17013-3044 (717) 240-6385

LACKAWANNA COUNTY 135 JEFFERSON AVE SUITE 100 SCRANTON PA 18503 (570) 963-6737

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 609 MARKET ST SUNBURY PA 17801-2360 (570) 988-4208

WASHINGTON COUNTY 100 W BEAU ST RM 206 WASHINGTON PA 15301 (724) 228-6750

BRADFORD COUNTY 301 MAIN ST TOWANDA PA 18848-1878 (570) 265-1717

DAUPHIN COUNTY PO BOX 1295 HARRISBURG PA 17108-1295 (717) 255-2793

LANCASTER COUNTY PO BOX 83480 LANCASTER PA 17608-3480 (717) 299-8293

PERRY COUNTY PO BOX 37 NEW BLOOMFIELD PA 17068-0037 (717) 582-2131 EXT 4110

WAYNE COUNTY 925 COURT ST HONESDALE PA 18431-1996 (570) 253-5978

BUCKS COUNTY 55 E COURT ST DOYLESTOWN PA 18901-4318 (215) 348-6163

DELAWARE COUNTY GOV'T CENTER BLDG 201 W FRONT ST MEDIA PA 19063-2728 (610) 891-4659

LAWRENCE COUNTY 430 COURT ST NEW CASTLE PA 16101-3593 (724) 656-2161

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY 520 N DELAWARE AVE 5TH FL PHILADELPHIA PA 19123-4295 (215) 686-1505

WESTMORELAND COUNTY 2 N MAIN ST STE 109 GREENSBURG PA 15601 (724) 830-3150

BUTLER COUNTY PO BOX 1208 BUTLER PA 16003-1208 (724) 284-5308

ELK COUNTY 300 CENTER ST PO BOX 448 RIDGWAY PA 15853 (814) 776-5337

LEBANON COUNTY 400 S EIGHTH ST LEBANON PA 17042-6794 (717) 274-2801 EXT 2243

PIKE COUNTY 506 BROAD ST MILFORD PA 18337-1535 (570) 296-3426

WYOMING COUNTY 1 COURTHOUSE SQ TUNKHANNOCK PA 18657-1216 (570) 996-2226

CAMBRIA COUNTY 200 S. CENTER ST EBENSBURG PA 15931 (814) 472-5440

ERIE COUNTY 140 W 6TH ST RM 105 ERIE PA 16501-1096 (814) 451-6275

LEHIGH COUNTY 17 S 7TH ST ALLENTOWN PA 18101-2400 (610) 782-3194

POTTER COUNTY 1 E SECOND ST RM 22A COUDERSPORT PA 16915-1690 (814) 274-8467

YORK COUNTY 1 WEST MARKETWAY YORK PA 17401-1256 (717) 771-9604

CAMERON COUNTY 20 E FIFTH ST EMPORIUM PA 15834-1469 (814) 486-2315

FAYETTE COUNTY 22 E MAIN ST PUBLIC SERVICE BLDG UNIONTOWN PA 15401 (724) 430-1289

LUZERNE COUNTY 200 N RIVER ST WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 (570) 825-1715

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 114 S CLAUDE A LORD BLVD POTTSVILLE PA 17901-3602 (570) 622-3040

CARBON COUNTY BROADWAY & HAZARD SQ PO BOX 129 JIM THORPE PA 18229-0129 (570) 325-4801

FOREST COUNTY PO BOX 126 TIONESTA PA 16353-0126 (814) 755-3537

LYCOMING COUNTY 48 W THIRD ST WILLIAMSPORT PA 17701-0536 (570) 327-2267

SNYDER COUNTY PO BOX 217 MIDDLEBURG PA 17842-0217 (570) 837-4209

CENTRE COUNTY 420 HOLMES ST BELLEFONTE PA 16823-1488 (814) 355-6703

FRANKLIN COUNTY 157 LINCOLN WAY EAST CHAMBERSBURG PA 17201-2211 (717) 261-3886

MCKEAN COUNTY PO BOX 1507 SMETHPORT PA 16749-0507 (814) 887-3203

SOMERSET COUNTY 300 N CENTER AVE STE 510 SOMERSET PA 15501 (814) 445-1549

ORIGINAL FORM FOLD

Adhesive 3/8 in. Remoist Partial

FOLD

For a listing of available county e-mail addresses, go to: Fold perf www.dos.state.pa.us full horiz.

If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, contact your county voter registration office.

MOISTEN

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT THIS FORM (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY) Box 1. Citizenship and Age: If the answer to either question is "No," do not complete this form because you are not eligible to register to vote.

Box 2. Application Type: Please check the appropriate box. If you are a Federal or State employee and wish to retain your voting residence in the county where you last resided, please check the appropriate box.

Box 3. Name, Driver's License and Social Security Number: Print last name, first name and middle name or initial. Circle Jr., Sr., II, III, IV if applicable. You must supply a Driver's License Number, if you have one. If you do not have a Driver's License Number, you must supply the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, please write None in the boxes.

Box 4. 4a Address of Residence: Fill in your complete address of residence.

P.O. boxes may not be used here unless there is no physical address.

Print street address, city and zip code. (If the residence is only a portion of the house, include the location or number of the room, apartment or floor which is occupied.) In Box 4b include your telephone number. (Optional) In Box 4c fill in the name of the municipality (city, borough or township) and county where you live. Use the map in the box below if you cannot otherwise identify your address.

EAST

SOUTH

If your address of residence listed in Box 4a has no street number or street name (for example, Schoolhouse Road or RR2 Box 3) use the box above to draw a map of where you live. Include landmarks and roads.

esive FOLD

Mailing Address: Fill in mailing address, if different from Box 4a.

Date of Birth: Fill in month, day and year of your birth.

Race: Fill in your race. (Optional) Prior Registration: If you were registered before, fill in name of previous registration in Box 8a and address, county and year of previous registration in Box 8b.

Box 9. Political Party: Check block for political party or no affiliation. You must register with a party if you want to take part in that party's primary.

Box 10. If you were assigned a Voter Identification Number, which appears on your Voter Identification Card, place that Identification Number here. If you are applying to register to vote for the first time leave this box blank.

Box 11. Registration Declaration: 11a You must be a citizen of the United States to register to vote in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.11b Please read the registration declaration carefully. Please sign and print your name and date the application.

PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING REGISTRATION DECLARATION WARNING: If a person signs an official registration application knowing a statement declared in the application to be false, makes a false registration, or furnishes false information, the person commits perjury. Perjury is punishable, upon conviction, by a term of imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or a fine not exceeding $15,000, or both, at the discretion of the court. Submitting an application containing false information may also subject a person to other penalties, including loss of the right of suffrage, under state or federal law.

NORTH

WEST

Box 5.

Box 6.

Box 7.

Box 8.

Box 12. Name of Assistant: If the applicant is unable to sign the application, the person who assisted the applicant must provide his or her name, address and telephone number.

Perforation Rule Weight=1.1 pt Reverse Full Horizontal Rule, Weight=0.5 pt Screen=10%, 150 line

FOLD

End adhesive here

PENNSYLVANIA VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION

DO NOT WRITE IN SHADED AREAS

1 Are you a citizen of the United States of America?

Yes No Will you be 18 years of age on or before election day? Yes No

If you checked "No" in response to either of these questions, do not complete this form.

}

a Federal or State employee and wish to retain Place either Driver's License # or Social Security # here 2 New Registration Change of Name Change of Address Change of Party Imyamvoting residence in the county where I last resided.

Mr Last Name First Name Middle Name/Initial Jr Sr II DL # 3 Mrs Perforation III IV OR SS# (last 4 digits) Miss Number (Optional) Full Horizontal 4 Telephone 4 Address of residence, include street and city (Use map above if no street number or name) (If only P.O. box, see above) Apt # State Zip Code a b ( ) PA City State Zip Code 4 Municipality where you live County where you live 5 Mailing address (if different than address of residence)

SEAL HERE DO NOT REMOVE

c

6 Date of Birth

7 Race (Optional)

8 Address of previous registration

8 Name on previous registration

party do you wish to register?

9 In which Democratic No affiliation

a

County of previous registration Year of previous registration

b

Republican Libertarian Green

Other (Please specify):

Place signature with full name (or mark) below.

Voter Identification 10 Number (Please see Penalty for Falsifying Declaration.)

I HEREBY DECLARE THAT: 11 (1)On the day of the next election I will have been a United States citizen for at least one month, I will be at least 18 years of age, and I will have resided in Pennsylvania and in my election district for at least 30 days; (2)I am legally qualified to vote.

AND I HEREBY AFFIRM THAT the information I have provided in this registration declaration is true. I understand that this registration declaration will be accepted Date for all purposes as the equivalent of an affidavit; and if the registration contains a Print Your Name Below materially false statement, I will be subject to penalties for perjury.

X

OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Name of person who assisted in the completion of this application Telephone No.

12 Address NAME

CITY, BORO, OR TWP.

DATE OF REGISTRATION

REGISTRAR

YEAR

WARD

The Center for Civic Design provides an excellent guide for designing forms.

Filename: i:\f3jobs\win_f3\1182828\1182828.f3f, Date: 1-24-103 15:08:56 Sheet: 1, Copy: Front, Scale: 100%, Type: Manufacturing

The Center for Civic Design’s guide

DISTRICT

PARTY AFFILIATION

COUNTY VOTER I.D.#

OFFICIAL USE ONLY

VOTER REGISTRATON AND COMMUNICATION

32

The example shown illustrates how a voter registration application can be redesigned for greater usability and accuracy.

DANVILLE PA 17821 (570) 271-3000

JUNIATA COUNTY BRIDGE ST PO BOX 68 MIFFLINTOWN PA 17059-0068 (717) 436-7706

SEAL HERE DO NOT REMOVE

The intentional graphic design of forms—specifically around logical flow, well-defined headings, and clear instructions where needed—can make a big difference in supporting voters. Many of the design principles used for physical voter registration forms apply to their virtual counterparts as well.

BROOKVILLE PA 15825-1269 (814) 849-1605

CRAWFORD COUNTY 903 DIAMOND PARK MEADVILLE PA 16335-2678 (814) 333-7306

MOISTEN

Government forms can get complicated, and voters can miss mandatory fields necessary to register successfully.

BLOOMSBURG PA 17815-0380 (570) 389-5640

BERKS COUNTY 633 COURT ST READING PA 19601-3540 (610) 478-6490

MOISTEN

How can we design materials that allow voters to register successfully?

BEDFORD PA 15522-0166 (814) 623-4807

Perforation Rule Weight=0 Fill screen=10 Full Fold/Perf.

Horizontal

Important instructions at the top

AFTER RE-DESIGN

Pennsylvania Voter Registration Application & Mail-in Ballot Request Left justification for easier readability

Required and optional sections clearly labeled for accessibility

Form is grouped by numbered sections

Print your name Eligibility

If you answer “No” to either question, you cannot register to vote.

1

2

Reason

3

Phone and email are optional and may be used to contact you about important information.

4

First name

Middle name or initial

Are you a citizen of the U.S.?

Yes

No

Will you be 18 years or older on or before Election Day?

Yes

No

New registration Change of party

Mail-in voting Change of name Change of address Federal or State employee registering in county of last residence Race

Phone

Email Female (F)

Male (M)

Non-Binary / Other (X)

Address (not P.O. Box)

If you do not have a street address or a permanent residence, use the map on the back. Students, see instructions.

Mailing address for voter registration

5

If you have a PennDOT number you must use it. If not please provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

See Verifying your identity.

Political party

To vote in a primary, you must register with either the Democratic or Republican party.

Apt. number State PA

City/Town Municipality

6

Same as above

Zip

County

I have lived at this address since

Voting district/precinct (if known)

Identification

Instructions provided in relevant sections

Jr Sr II III IV (circle if applicable)

Gender

Your address

Use blue or black ink

Last name

Birth date (required)

About you

Page 3

Ward (if known)

I do not have a street address

Address or P.O. Box

City/Town

State

Zip

PennDOT driver’s license or ID card number 7

Last four digits of your Social Security number

x x x – x x –

I do not have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or a Social Security number

8

Democratic

Republican

Green

Libertarian

None (no affiliation)

Other Name on previous registration

If your name or address has changed

Full previous address and county 9

Skip if this is the first time you are registering to vote.

Voting assistance Be a poll worker

If you check either of these boxes, your County elections office will contact you.

PA Voter No. (if available)

Year

Transfer my Annual Ballot Request

(By checking the box, you are requesting that you continue to maintain your annual ballot request status when updating your address.)

10

I require help to vote. I need this kind of assistance: I require language help. My preferred language is: I would like to be a poll worker on Election Day.

11

I would like to be a bilingual interpreter on Election Day. I speak this language:

Continue to next page.

You must sign on the next page.

SIDEWALK

CURB

Titles for quick navigation and instructions to support voters.

Separates form from sidewalk and can be colored to indicate required sections.

DSBE-6002/22

Where can we provide voters with registration opportunities?

Voting is both an essential right and responsibility that forms the foundation of our democracy. The gateway to voting is registration.

Having ample registration opportunities ensures that all eligible voters can participate in our democracy.

It is important to provide proper access to voter registration. Ways to increase registration opportunities include: setting up registration booths in communities, hosting events, and providing navigable online resources.

VOTER REGISTRATON AND COMMUNICATION

34

Many election offices (and other organizations) work to meet prospective voters where they are.

For example, shown below, the election office of Coconino County, Arizona sets up a mobile voter registration and polling location at the Grand Canyon to serve local voters—primarily members of the Havasupai Tribe.

▲ A mobile voter registration site and polling location set up at the Grand Canyon (Coconino County, Arizona and Havasupai tribal land) brings the tools to register to vote directly to rural voters who might otherwise have limited access.

⊳ A League of Women Voters registration drive at the Dodge Plaza Supermarket in Dodge Park, Maryland.

Washington DC's Board of Education set up a table for collection of voter registration forms and student election worker applications at Woodrow Wilson High School.

⊲ Vo+ER brings voter registration to healthcare settings through kiosks, QR codes, and provider badges. The program originated in 2019 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and has expanded to multiple sites.

How can we help eligible voters register online?

Online voter registration can be effectively used to serve eligible voters in rural areas or those with accessibility requirements.

Online voter registration can steer voters to properly complete their application and not allow submission until the form is sufficiently completed. There are many

opportunities for design improvements to ensure that these forms are accessible to voters with disabilities.

(Not all states offer online registration to their citizens.) ⊳ A voter registers online at the Travis County voter registrar’s office in Austin, Texas.

VOTER REGISTRATON AND COMMUNICATION

36

⊲ A voter registration promotion from the Tennessee Secretary of State prominently features the website address along with a scannable QR code.

How do we keep voters informed about elections?

Election offices communicate with voters to ensure they are informed and prepared to participate effectively in the electoral process.

Relevant details about upcoming elections, such as election dates, polling locations, and available voting methods are crucial for helping voters plan their participation and avoid confusion, especially when there are changes to polling sites or when new voting methods, like early voting or mail-in ballots, are

▲ Snohomish County in Washington designed a comic book series that they integrated into their general election mailing information, which was an effective way to engage voters.

introduced. Election officials have adopted various approaches to communicate with voters, especially in response to the challenges posed by changing voter behaviors and the need to engage diverse populations. Effective design in these communications is essential.

Direct Mail Election officials use mailings to ensure voters receive essential information about the voting process directly at their homes. They may send out a variety of materials, including voter registration cards, sample ballots, polling place notifications, and reminders about upcoming elections. Designing these mailings with clear layouts, bold headings, and easy-to-read fonts ensures that the information is easily accessible and understood by all recipients.

Websites Hosted at the state and local level, websites provide a centralized location where voters can access important information from trusted sources. Some offices have developed interactive websites where voters can enter their address to receive personalized information about their polling place, sample ballots, and

VOTER REGISTRATON AND COMMUNICATION

38

available voting methods. These tools often include features like polling place wait times and directions, making it easier for voters to plan for Election Day. The design of these portals is crucial, often featuring user-friendly interfaces, clear navigation, and multilingual support.

Text Messages To reach voters directly, some election officials have implemented text messaging campaigns that send reminders about registration deadlines, early voting dates, and Election Day. These messages are often timed to coincide with key dates in the election cycle and can include links to additional resources or information. The simplicity and directness of text messages make them a powerful tool, especially for reaching those who may not regularly check traditional mail or email.

▲ Examples of voter education through text messaging from Nassau County, Florida used to disseminate important details about an upcoming election.

Social Media Social media can be used to share real-time updates, reminders and educational content. These communications often need to be even more concise and visually engaging, utilizing infographics, videos, or interactive elements to grab attention in a crowded digital space. These campaigns are often designed to be easily shareable, helping to spread accurate information quickly and widely.

Videos Election officials use videos to inform voters in ways that static images or direct mail cannot. Unlike static materials, videos can combine motion, sound, and visual storytelling to create a more engaging and comprehensive learning experience. For example, a video can demonstrate the step-by-step process of filling out a ballot, showing voters exactly what to do,

which is more intuitive than written instructions alone.

Videos also allow for the use of dynamic elements like animations to highlight key information or clarify complex procedures, making them particularly effective for conveying instructions or addressing common voter questions.

Webinars To engage voters in a more interactive way, some election offices have hosted virtual town halls or webinars where voters can ask questions and receive real-time answers from election officials. These sessions often cover topics such as voter registration, absentee voting, and Election Day procedures. The use of live video and chat features allows for a more personal and direct communication channel, which can be particularly effective in addressing voter concerns and misinformation.

⊳ Hillsborough County in Florida developed a series of informational videos to helpvoters understand the mechanics and administration of elections.

Election Worker Engagement Election workers are essential to our election process.

Election workers (also referred to as poll workers, election judges, or election volunteers) are at the front lines of our democracy. Typically part-time employees or volunteers, they are recruited and trained to support voting processes during elections including but not limited to: setting up voting equipment, verifying voter eligibility, and providing ballots.

With increased early voting and other unexpected challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s additional demands on, and for, poll workers across the country.

⊳ Poll workers process mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania.

How can we attract and recruit election workers?

Recruiting temporary election workers is a continuous need each election cycle.

While some workers return from previous elections, typically election offices must recruit prior to each election. Offices have launched myriad efforts to recruit poll workers and volunteers. Some offices need to focus on finding enough people to staff each election; others are working to find poll workers with particular skills or experiences.

ELECTION WORKER ENGAGEMENT

42

Many jurisdictions have had success recruiting high school students to be poll workers. Harris County, Texas received an EAC Clearie award in 2020 for its recruiting, retaining, and training of election workers.

They have a dynamic student-focused program, with 280 students serving in the last election. They also take the time to thank their volunteers.

▲ An Instagram post from the Harris County election administrator’s office recruiting election workers. ⊳ A tweet from the Harris County election administrator’s office thanking poll workers.

⊳ (opposite) High school students working as election workers in Harris County, Texas.

How can we design training of election workers to be engaging and effective?

By employing thoughtful and strategic design practices in poll worker training, election authorities can ensure that poll workers are well prepared, confident, and equipped to handle the many responsibilities of facilitating a smooth and successful election rather than feeling inundated with information and overwhelmed. Design plays a critical role in conveying complex information in a visually appealing and understandable manner, and in creating engaging training experiences that enhance the learning experience and improves the retention of information.

ELECTION WORKER ENGAGEMENT

44

▲ Election official Keturah Trusty displays the early voting poll worker training manual, in Boston, Massachusetts.

IT expert for Georgia Votes, Roger Browning trains poll workers on how to use the voting machine in Jasper, Georgia.

Both training in advance and guidance in the moment are critical in supporting election workers. San Francisco’s Poll Worker Manual is a good example of a clear and helpful guide.

This is supplemented with a number of helpful videos for specific tasks and issues.

San Francisco poll worker training resources

Job cards specific to roles and a single activity

Each activity is broken into small, defined tasks

ELECTION WORKER ENGAGEMENT

46

Different colors to differentiate items

Illustrations demonstrate tasks within each activity

Clear directions for multiple what-if scenarios

How can we celebrate election workers?

Celebrating election workers is an essential way to recognize and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and commitment they put into ensuring the integrity and smooth functioning of the electoral process.

Some election offices demonstrate their gratitude for their election workers with some or all of the following: social media posts publicly thanking them for their work; encouraging members of the community to write thank-you notes; catered meals on

election day; awards ceremonies recognizing outstanding election workers; post-election potlucks or gatherings to build a sense of camaraderie; and gifting tokens of appreciation such gift cards, pins, or badges.

Examples of ways to thank election workers ⊳ A Poll Worker Appreciation Day event in Forsyth County, Georgia. ⊲ (top) Pins can commemorate each election year and show appreciation for election workers. Pins from San Bernardino County, California shown here.

ELECTION WORKER ENGAGEMENT

48

⊲ (bottom) A poll worker event in Cole County, Missouri. Gathering around food is always a welcome tradition.

Ballot Design & Collection Whether voting in-person or by mail, the majority of voters cast their votes on paper ballots. Those ballots must be designed for voters to understand and correctly mark the votes of their choice.

And for mail-in voting, particular consideration must be given to how to properly collect completed ballots.

Voting with a hand-marked ballot remains the most common way to vote in the U.S. Almost 70 percent of Americans voted this way in 2022, according to Verified Voting, an organization that tracks voting technology. Elections often have many races with many candidates listed for each. Ballots need to be designed well to support voters in casting their votes as intended. (Similarly, electronic voting systems must be designed with clarity.)

With more and more voters opting to get their ballot by mail, we also have to consider how those ballots get returned for counting. All states now have at least some vote-by-mail processes.

Some states (eight states and Washington D.C. as of 2024) have all-mail elections, meaning every registered voter is mailed a ballot for each election.

⊳ A voter in Sandwich, Massachusetts deposits his mail-in ballot in a drop box.

How can we help voters easily navigate the ballot?

Good ballot design aids voters in exercising their vote as intended.

What a ballot looks like, what it contains, and how a voter marks their selections can vary depending on what state, or even what local jurisdiction, you live in. While the ballot’s design is often determined by state law, or bound by the perimeters of the

BALLOT DESIGN AND COLLECTION

52

voting equipment, there are some things that an official can still influence, including the final layout, the wording of voting instructions, even the colorcoding of ballot styles.

ect of Center for Civic Design civicdesign.org

ect of Center for Civic Design civicdesign.org

The Center for Civic Design has published a series of Field Guides to Ensuring Voter Intent. Two that are particularly instructive for ballot design are the first two volumes: Designing Usable Ballots and Writing Instructions Voters Understand.

22

Designing usable ballots

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent

1

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

President and Vice-President of the United States

Instructions Making selections

No. 09

U.S. Representative Vote for 1

1

Brad Plunkard Official Ballot for General Election Blue Springfield County, Nebraska Bruce Reeder Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Yellow

Joseph Barchi and Joseph Hallaren Blue

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent

President and Vice-President of the United States

Instructions

Glen Tawney Orange

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

Carroll Forrest Pink

Making selections

Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may not count. If you make a mistake or a stray mark, ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor

Austin Hildebrand and James Garritty Pink

To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue

Turning in the ballot

Designing usable ballots

Insert the completed ballot into the ballot sleeve. Hand in the ballot to be counted.

Frederick Do not cross outSharp or and Burt Zirkle erase, or your vote may Gray not count. orIfwrite-in: you make a Lloyd Garriss Yellow mistake or a stray mark, Sylvia Wentworthask for a new ballot from Official Ballot for General Election Farthington Purple the poll workers.

Continue voting Springfield County, Nebraska Dennis Weiford Blue

John Hewetson Orange

next side

Heather Portier Gold or write-in:

Making selections

THIS•LINE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. OnISpaper ballots, to separate

Pink

instructions from contests and contests from each other.

or write-in:

Austin Hildebrand and James Garritty Pink

Optional write-in

Use color and shading consistently:

Glen Tawney Orange

Before Carroll Forrest

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

Victor Martinez Pink

Instructions

Brad Schott Purple

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

Vote for 1

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent

Bruce Reeder Yellow

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

Carrie Steel-Loy and George Hovis Pink

U.S. Senator

Do not fold the ballot.

Brad Plunkard Blue

6

Designing usable ballots

1

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor /5

• On electronic ballots, to support navigation, call special attention, and provide user feedback.

This Line is Upper and Lowercase.

Vote for 1 pair

Charlene Franz

and President and U.S. Representative Martin Patterson Chris Norberg Vice-President of the and Blue Vote for 1 Clay Lariviere United States

After Gerard Harris

Gold

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

To add a candidate, fill in Vote for the oval to the left1ofpair “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Joseph Barchi

and

Do not rely on color as the only way to communicate important information.

Brad Plunkard Anthony Parks Yellow Blue

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson

Gray voters Shading and color can help Linda Bargmann Turning in the ballot and and Joseph Hallaren Marzena Pazgier Bruce Reeder Garcia quickly see the structure ofandthe ballot.

Yellow Luis Blue Purple Welton Phelps

Brown Fill in the oval to the left of Barbara Adcock Brad Schott Adam Cramer and the name of your choice. or write-in: Charles Qualey Purple and ballot Orange You must blacken the oval Insert the completed Greg Vuocolo into the ballot sleeve. Hand completely, and do not make in the ballot toYellow be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy Glen Tawney any marks outside of the Orange and George Hovis oval.

You do not have to vote Do not fold Daniel Official Ballot for General Election the ballot.Court U.S. Senator Pink Springfield County, Nebraska in every race. and Vote for 1 Tuesday, November 07, 2006 /5 Carroll Forrest Amy Blumhard Frederick Sharp Pink and Purple Dennis Weiford Burt Zirkle Do not cross out or Blue Gray President and U.S. Representative erase, or your vote may Instructions Field-researched, critical election Vice-President of the Alvin Boone or write-in: or write-in: Lloyd Garriss not count. If you make a and Vote for 1 Yellow United States design techniques to help ensure that James Lian Making selectionsmistake or a stray mark, Orange every vote is cast as voters ask intend for a newVote ballot forfrom 1 pair Sylvia WentworthBrad Plunkard Farthington the poll workers.

State Governor and Blue Purple Continue voting Lieutenant-Governor Austin Hildebrand Joseph Barchi JohnVoter Hewetson 24 Fieldand Guides To Ensuring Intent next side Designing usable ballots Optional write-inand Orange Bruce ReederVote for 1 pair Joseph Hallaren James Garritty YellowVictor Martinez Pink Blue Charlene Franz Pink and Fill in the oval to the left of Martin Patterson Brad Schott Chris Norberg Adam Cramer Heather Portier the name of your choice. and PurpleGold Blue and You must blacken the oval No. 10 Clay Lariviere GregOffi Vuocolo cial Ballot for General Election Gold completely, and do not make or write-in: Yellow eld County, Nebraska To add a candidate, fill inSpringfi Glen Tawney 1 Gerard Harris /5 Tuesday, November 07, 2006 any marks outside of the Ballot Title and Orange the oval to the left of “or oval. You do not have to vote Elizabeth Harp Anthony Parks Daniel Court write-in” and print the name in every race. and Yellow and clearly on the dotted line.

CarrollPresident Forrest and U.S. Representative Amy Blumhard Instructions Antoine Jefferson Pink Vice-President Gray of the Purple Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______ Linda Bargmann Vote for 1 Turning in the ballot United States Do not cross out or and Making selections erase, or your vote may Marzena Pazgier or write-in: Luis Garcia Alvin Boone Vote for 1 pair not count. If you make a Brad Plunkard and Purple and 8 Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent Blue Welton Phelps mistake or a stray mark, James Lian Joseph Barchi Brown Orange ask for a new ballot from Barbara Adcock and the poll workers.

Bruce Reeder and State Governor Joseph and Hallaren Yellow Lieutenant-Governor Austin Hildebrandor write-in: Blue Charles Qualey Contest Header Optional write-in Insert the completed ballot Orange and Vote James into the ballot sleeve.

Hand FillGarritty in the oval to the left of for 1 pair Brad Schott Adam Vol.Cramer 01 Pink the name of your choice. in the ballot to be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy Charlene Franz Purple and You must blacken the oval and and Greg Vuocolo Before Insert the completed ballot Martin Pattersonand do not make Chris Norberg completely, Yellow George Hovis U.S. Senator Glen Tawney Do not fold the ballot.

Pink and any marks outside of the Blue into the ballot sleeve. Hand in the Orange Clay Lariviere forhave 1 to vote oval. YouVote do not Daniel Court Gold ballot to be counted.

Frederick Sharp in every race.

Gerard Harris To add a candidate, fill in and and Carroll Forrest and Name Amy Blumhard the oval to the left ofCandidate “or Dennis Weiford Pink Elizabeth Harp Anthony Parks Purple Burt Zirkle (center-aligned) write-in” and print the name Party Affiliation Gray and Do not crossBlue Yellow out or clearly on the dotted line.

Antoine Jefferson erase, or your vote may or write-in: Alvin Boone Gray or write-in: not count. If Lloyd you make a Linda Bargmann Garriss Turning in the ballot and mistake or a Yellow stray mark, and James Lian Marzena ask Pazgier for a new ballot fromLuis GarciaOrange and Purple the poll workers.

Sylvia WentworthAfter State Governor Insertand the completed ballot Welton Phelps Farthington Lieutenant-Governor Austin Hildebrand Brown into the ballot sleeve. Hand in the Optional write-in Barbara Adcock Purple and Vote for 1 pair and Continue voting James Garritty ballot to be counted.

John Hewetson or write-in: Charles Qualey next side Pink Charlene Franz Orange Insert the completed ballot Orange and into the ballot sleeve. Hand (left-aligned) Martin Patterson Chris Norberg in the ballot to be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy Victor Martinez and Blue and Pink Clay Lariviere George Hovis Gold U.S. Senator Gerard Harris Do not fold the ballot.

To add a candidate, fill in Pink Heather and left of “orPortier Vote for 1 the oval to theGold Elizabeth Harp Anthony Parks write-in” and print the nameFrederick Sharp and Yellow clearly on the dotted line. and Official Ballot for General Election Antoine Jefferson Springfield County, Nebraska Dennis Weiford or write-in: Burt Zirkle Gray Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Linda Bargmann Blue Turning in the ballot Gray and Marzena Pazgier Luis Garcia President and U.S. Representative or write-in:and Lloyd Garriss Instructions Purple Vice-President of the Yellow Welton Phelps Vote for 1 United States Brown Making selections Barbara Adcock Vote for 1 pair Sylvia WentworthBrad Plunkard and Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______ Blue Farthington orFourth write-in:edition, 2018 Charles Qualey Joseph Barchi PurpleInsert the completed ballot Orange and Continue voting Bruce Reeder into the ballot sleeve. Hand Joseph Hallaren John Hewetson next side Yellow Blue in the ballot to be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy Orange Fill and in the oval to the left of Brad Schott Adam Cramer Hovis theGeorge name of your choice.

Purple and U.S. Senator VictorDo Martinez not fold the ballot.

YouPink must blacken the oval Greg Vuocolo Pink completely, and do not make Yellow Vote for 1 Glen Tawney anyFrederick marks outside of the Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent 6 Sharp Orange oval.

You do not have to vote Heather Portier and Daniel Court in every Gold and Dennis Weiford Burtrace.

Zirkle Carroll Forrest Amy Blumhard Blue Gray Pink

Making selections

Use lowercase letters.

Making selections

U.S. Representative Vote for 1

Brad Plunkard Blue

Joseph Barchi and Joseph Hallaren Blue

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

Bruce Reeder Yellow

Glen Tawney Orange

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may not count. If you make a mistake or a stray mark, ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

Austin Hildebrand and James Garritty Pink

Optional write-in

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue

Turning in the ballot

Do not fold the ballot.

Barbara Adcock and Charles Qualey Orange

or write-in:

U.S. Senator Vote for 1

Frederick Sharp and Burt Zirkle Gray

Dennis Weiford Blue

or write-in:

Lloyd Garriss Yellow

Sylvia WentworthFarthington Purple John Hewetson Orange

Continue voting next side

Victor Martinez Pink Heather Portier Gold or write-in:

Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may or write-in: not count. If you make a mistake or a stray mark, ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

Lloyd Garriss Yellow

Vol. 02

Writing instructions voters understand

Sylvia WentworthFarthington Purple

Purple

1

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Instructions Making selections

President and Vice-President of the United States

Alvin Boone and Vote for 1 pair Joseph Barchi Jamesand Lian Joseph Hallaren OrangeBlue

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

or write-in:

Vote for 1 Brad Plunkard Blue Bruce Reeder Yellow Brad Schott

Purple and State Governor and Greg Vuocolo Glen Tawney Lieutenant-Governor AustinYellow Hildebrand Orange Court and Daniel and Carroll Forrest Amy Blumhard Vote for 1 pair Continue voting Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______ Pink JamesPurple Garritty Do not cross out or John Hewetson erase, or your vote may next side or write-in: Pink and Alvin Boone not count. If you make a Charlene Franz mistake or a stray mark, James Lian Orange Orange ask for a new ballot from and the poll workers.

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor Austin Hildebrand Chris Norberg Optional write-in Martin andPatterson Vote for 1 pair James Garritty and Pink Blue Charlene Franz Victor Martinez and Clay Lariviere Martin Patterson Chris Norberg and Blue Pink Clay Lariviere Gold Gold Gerard Harris To add a candidate, fill in Gerard Harris To add a candidate, fill in and the oval to the left of “or Elizabeth Harp Anthony Parks write-in” and print the name and and Yellow the oval to the left of “or clearly on the dotted line.

Antoine Jefferson Gray Elizabeth Harp Anthony Parks Heather Portier Linda Bargmann write-in” and print the name Turning in the ballot and and and Marzena Pazgier Luis Garcia Yellow Gold Purple clearly on the dotted line.

Welton Phelps Antoine Jefferson Brown Barbara Adcock and Gray or write-in: Charles Qualey Linda Bargmann Turning in the ballot Insert the completed ballot Orange into the ballot sleeve. Hand or write-in: and in the ballot to be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy and Marzena Pazgier Pink George Hovis Luis Garcia U.S. Senator Do not fold the ballot. and Vote for 1 Purple Frederick Sharp and Welton Phelps Dennis Weiford Burt Zirkle Gray BrownBlue Official Ballot for General Election Barbara Adcock or write-in: Lloyd Garriss Springfield County, Nebraska Yellow and /5 Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Sylvia Wentworthor write-in: Charles Qualey Farthington Purple Continue voting Insert the completed ballot Orange John Hewetson next side Orange into the ballot sleeve. Hand Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______ President and U.S. Representative Victor Martinez Instructions Pink inVice-President the ballot to be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy of the Heather Portier Vote for 1 and United States Gold Making selections George Hovis or write-in: U.S. Senator Do notfor fold the ballot.

Vote 1 pair Pink Brad Plunkard

Optional write-in

1

Vote for 1 Blue

Joseph Barchi and Joseph Hallaren Blue

Field-researched, critical election design techniques to help ensure that every vote is cast as voters intend 10

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent

OFFICIAL BALLOT

__________ Judge

CITY GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT OFFICIAL BALLOT

__________ __________ CITY GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT Judge Judge STATE OFB MINNESOTA NOVEMBER 3, 2009 STATE OF MINNESOTA NOVEMBER 3, 2009 CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS C Ranked Choice Voting

A

A

B

__________ Judge CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS

C

Ranked Choice Voting

How to make your candidate choice 1. Pick your first choice candidate and completely fill in the oval next to that candidate under First Choice, like this:

Correct:

Correct: Choose different candidates in different columns.

R CANDIDATE NAME 2. If you have a second choice candidate, completely fill in the oval next to that candidate under Second Choice.

How to make your candidate choice

Wrong: Voter chose the same candidate more than once.

3. Your third choice candidate, if you have one,

Correct:

Correct: Choose different candidates in different columns.

Wrong:

Wrong: Voter chose more than one candidate in the same column.

make a stray mark - ask for a new ballot.

Otherwise your vote may not count.

R CANDIDATE NAME

CITY OFFICES 2. If you have a second choice candidate, your first, second and third choice candidates in the columns below. One to be elected. completely fill in the oval nextMAYOR to thatMarkcandidate under Second Choice.

1 Fill in one oval completely. 2 Make your second choice 3 Make your third choice Second here.

Choice

First Choice

3. Your third choice candidate, if you have one, works the same way.

PAPA JOHN KOLSTAD Independent Civic Leader

JOHN CHARLES WILSON Edgertonite National Party

JOEY LOMBARD

JOHN CHARLES WILSON Edgertonite National Party

JOEY LOMBARD Is Awesome

BOB CARNEY JR.

Moderate Progressive Censored

Moderate Progressive Censored

BILL MCGAUGHEY

R.T. RYBAK

New Dignity Party

TOM FISKE

R.T. RYBAK

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

If you make a mistake - or cross out or make a stray mark - ask for a new ballot.

Otherwise your vote may not count.

JAMES R. EVERETT

JAMES R. EVERETT

JAMES R. EVERETT

Social Entrepreneurship

AL FLOWERS

Social Entrepreneurship

AL FLOWERS

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

AL FLOWERS

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

DICK FRANSON

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

DICK FRANSON

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

CHRISTOPHER CLARK

CHRISTOPHER CLARK

Libertarian

Libertarian

Libertarian

write-in, if any

write-in, if any

write-in, if any

MAYOR

1

CITY OFFICES 2

Fill in one oval completely.

Second Choice

3

Make your third choice here.

Third Choice

Mark your first, second and third choice candidates in the columns below. One to be elected.

BARBARA A."BARB" JOHNSON

BARBARA A."BARB" JOHNSON

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

MARCUS HARCUS Green

TROY PARKER

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Fill in one oval completely. write-in, if any

BARBARA A."BARB" JOHNSON

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

GRANT CERMAK

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

GRANT CERMAK

Independent

1

First Choice

Make your second choice here.

GRANT CERMAK

Independent

Independent

MARCUS HARCUS

2

MARCUS HARCUS

Green

Green

TROY PARKER

TROY PARKER

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Make your second choice Second here.

Choice write-in, if any

PAPA JOHN KOLSTAD

write-in, if any

3

PAPA JOHN KOLSTAD

Independent Civic Leader

PAPA JOHN KOLSTAD

Independent Civic Leader

JOHN CHARLES WILSON A

Edgertonite National Party

B

W4 P5

1525

C

JOEY LOMBARD

BILL MCGAUGHEY TOM FISKE

Socialist Workers Party

R.T. RYBAK

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Edgertonite National Party

W4 P5

JOEY LOMBARD

JOEY LOMBARD

Is Awesome

BOB CARNEY JR. New Dignity Party

JOHN CHARLES WILSON

Typ:01 Seq:0035 Spl:01

© Election Systems & Software, Inc. 1981, 2002

Is Awesome

Moderate Progressive Censored

Independent Civic Leader

JOHN CHARLES WILSON

VOTE FRONT AND BACK OFNational BALLOTParty Edgertonite

Is Awesome

BOB CARNEY JR.

BOB CARNEY JR.

Moderate Progressive Censored

Moderate Progressive Censored

BILL MCGAUGHEY BILL MCGAUGHEY Simple illustrations, along with New Dignity Party New Dignity Party TOM instructions, FISKE TOM FISKE clear help Socialist voters know Socialist Workers Party Workers Party R.T. RYBAK R.T. RYBAK what to do.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Democratic-Farmer-Labor

JAMES R. EVERETT

JAMES R. EVERETT

Social Entrepreneurship

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

DICK FRANSON

DICK FRANSON

CHRISTOPHER CLARK

CHRISTOPHER CLARK

CHRISTOPHER CLARK

write-in, if any

write-in, if any

write-in, if any

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Libertarian

To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left8of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Turning in the ballot

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson Gray

Gerard Harris

President and Vice-President of the

Instructions

Making selections

U.S. Representative

Vote for 1 United States Marzena Pazgier Vote for 1 pair Brad Plunkard and Blue Joseph Barchi and Welton Phelps Bruce Reeder Joseph Hallaren Yellow Blue Brown

/5

Linda Bargmann and Luis Garcia Purple

Writing instructions voters understand Insert the completed ballot into the ballot sleeve. Hand Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may count. If you make a in the ballot to be counted. not mistake or a stray mark,

Brad Schott Purple

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

or write-in:

Glen Tawney Orange

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

Barbara Adcock and Charles Qualey Orange

Show and tell voters how to mark Carrie Steel-Loy and the ballot.

George Hovis U.S. Senator Pink Carroll Forrest Pink or write-in:

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

Austin Hildebrand and James Garritty Pink

Optional write-in

Do not fold the ballot.

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor Vote for 1 pair

Martin Patterson

Vote for 1and Clay Lariviere

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue

Frederick Sharp Tell voters not to write in and Dennis Weiford Zirkle Blue candidates whoseBurt names already Gray or write-in: appear on the ballot.

Lloyd Garriss Yellow

To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Turning in the ballot

Gold

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson Gray Marzena Pazgier and Welton Phelps Brown

Insert the completed ballot into the ballot sleeve. Hand in the ballot to be counted.

Do not fold the ballot.

or write-in:

U.S. Senator

Gerard Harris and Anthony Parks Yellow

Linda Bargmann and Luis Garcia Purple Barbara Adcock and Charles Qualey Orange

Carrie Steel-Loy and George Hovis Pink

Vote for 1

Frederick Sharp and Sylvia WentworthDennis Weiford Burt Zirkle Blue Gray Farthington or write-in: Lloyd Garriss Purple Yellow Sylvia Wentworth-

JohnFarthington Hewetson Purple Continue voting Orange John Hewetson next side Orange

Continue voting next side

Victor Martinez Pink

Victor Martinez Heather Portier Pink Gold

Libertarian

or write-in:

Heather Portier Gold

COUNCIL MEMBER Mark your first, second and third choice candidates in the columns below. One to be elected.

WARD FOUR

1

Fill in one oval completely.

2

Second Choice BARBARA A."BARB" JOHNSON Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Make your second choice here.

BARBARA A."BARB" JOHNSON Democratic-Farmer-Labor

3

Third Choice

or write-in:

Make your third choice here.

BARBARA A."BARB" JOHNSON Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Avoid centered type.

Fourth edition, 2018

Continue voting next side instruction is placed at the end of the last column on the page.

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

President and Vice-President of the United States

Heather Portier MakingGold selections or write-in:

/5

For electronic ballots, let voters change language or display options, with instructions available at any time.

U.S. Representative Vote for 1

Vote for 1 pair

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

Brad Plunkard Blue

Joseph Barchi and Joseph Hallaren Blue

Bruce Reeder Continue voting next side Yellow instruction is placed at the end of the last column on the page.

Post easy-to-see instructions for both voting and moving around the polling place.

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

Brad Schott Adam Cramer Purple and Greg Vuocolo completely, and do not make Yellow Glen Tawney any marks outside of the Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent Orange oval. You do not have to vote Daniel Court in every race. and Carroll Forrest Amy Blumhard Pink Purple 1/ 5 Do not cross out or President and U.S. Representative Instructions Vice-President of the erase, or your vote may or write-in: Vote for 1 Alvin Boone United States not count. If you make a Making selections and Vote for 1 pair Brad Plunkard Blue Joseph Barchi mistake or a stray mark, Jamesand Lian Bruce Reeder Joseph Hallaren Yellow OrangeBlue ask for a new ballot from Fill in the oval to the left of Brad Schott Adam Cramer the poll workers. the name of your choice.

Purple and State Governor and You must blacken the oval Greg Vuocolo completely, and do not make Tawney Lieutenant-Governor AustinYellow Hildebrand Glen any marks outside of the Orange oval. You do not have to vote Daniel Court Optional write-in and and in every race.

Carroll Forrest Blumhard Vote for 1 pair Pink Purple JamesAmy Garritty Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may or write-in: Pink and Alvin Boone not count. If you make a Charlene Franz mistake or a stray mark, James Lian Orange ask for a new ballot from and the poll workers.

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor Austin Hildebrand Chris Norberg Optional write-in Martin andPatterson Vote for 1 pair James Garritty and Pink Blue Charlene Franz and ClayTo Lariviere Martin Patterson Chris Norberg Intent Field Guides Ensuring Voter and Blue Clay Lariviere Gold Gold Gerard Harris To add a candidate, fill in Gerard Harris To add a candidate, fill in and the oval to the left of “or Elizabeth Harp Anthony Parks write-in” and print the name and and Yellow the oval to the left of “or clearly on the dotted line.

Antoine Jefferson Gray Elizabeth Harp Anthony Parks Linda Bargmann write-in” and print the name Turning in the ballot and and Marzena Pazgier Luis Garcia Yellow and Purple clearly on the dotted line.

Welton Phelps Antoine Jefferson Brown Barbara Adcock and Gray or write-in: Charles Qualey Linda Bargmann Turning in the ballot Insert the completed ballot Orange into the ballot sleeve. Hand and in the ballot to be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy and Marzena Pazgier Pink George Hovis Luis Garcia U.S. Senator Do not fold the ballot. and Vote for 1 Purple Frederick Sharp and Welton Phelps Dennis Weiford Burt Zirkle Gray BrownBlue Barbara Adcock or write-in: Lloyd Garriss Yellow and /5 Sylvia Wentworthor write-in: Charles Qualey Farthington Purple Continue voting Insert the completed ballot Orange John Hewetson next side Orange into the ballot sleeve. Hand President and U.S. Representative Victor Martinez Pink inVice-President the ballot to be counted.

Carrie Steel-Loy of the Heather Portier Vote for 1 Gold and United States George Hovis or write-in: 71 pair U.S. Senator Do notfor fold the ballot.

Vote Pink Brad Plunkard

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 You Poll Worker Initials _______ _______ must blacken the oval

Left-aligned type is more 6 legible than centered type, which forces the eye to hunt for the start of the next line.

16

/5

Before

1

Instructions Making selections

Writing instructions voters understand

No. 01

Vote for 1 Blue

Joseph Barchi and Joseph Hallaren Blue

After

At the beginning of the ballot, explain how to change a vote, and that voters may write in a candidate.

Carroll Forrest John Hewetson Pink Orange

Continue voting next side

or write-in: Victor Martinez Pink

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

Heather Portier State Governor and Gold Lieutenant-Governor

Austin Hildebrand and James Garritty Pink

Optional write-in

Turning in the ballot

Sylvia WentworthOrange Farthington Purple

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may not count. If you make a mistake or a stray mark, ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left8of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Frederick Sharp and

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

Bruce Reeder Dennis Weiford Burt Zirkle If you make a mistake, Yellow ask a poll Blue Gray On optical scan ballots, worker for another ballot.instructions Brad Garriss Schott Adam Cramer or write-in: Lloyd like these are mostYellow effective when Purple and Greg Vuocolo placed just before the first contests.

Yellow Glen Tawney

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

Voteorfor 1 pair write-in:

Martin Patterson and Clay Lariviere Gold Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson Gray

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Making selections

Insert the completed ballot into the ballot sleeve. Hand Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may not count. If you make a in the ballot to be counted. mistake or a stray mark,

President and Vice-President of the United States

U.S. Representative

Gerard Harris

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

Brad Schott Purple

or write-in:

Carroll Forrest Pink or write-in:

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

Austin Hildebrand and

Optional write-in

James Garritty U.S. Senator Pink

Do not fold the ballot.

Glen Tawney Orange

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor Vote for 1 pair

Vote for 1and Clay Lariviere To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Turning in the ballot

Gold

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson

Insert the completed ballot into the ballot sleeve. Hand in the ballot to be counted.

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue Gerard Harris and Anthony Parks Yellow

Gray Dennis Weiford and Linda Bargmann Marzena Pazgier Luis Garcia Blueand Purple Welton Phelps Brown or write-in:

Lloyd Garriss Yellow U.S. Senator

Do not fold the ballot.

Barbara Adcock and Charles Qualey Orange

/5

Linda Bargmann and Luis Garcia Purple Barbara Adcock and Charles Qualey Orange Carrie Steel-Loy and George Hovis Pink Frederick Sharp and Burt Zirkle Gray or write-in:

Carrie Steel-Loy and George Hovis Pink

Vote for 1

Frederick Sharp and Sylvia WentworthDennis Weiford Burt Zirkle Blue Gray Farthington or write-in: Lloyd Garriss Purple Yellow Sylvia Wentworth-

JohnFarthington Hewetson Purple Continue voting Orange John Hewetson next side Orange

Continue voting next side

Victor Martinez Pink

Victor Martinez Heather Portier Pink Gold or write-in:

Writing instructions voters understand

9

Heather Portier Gold

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

or write-in:

No. 02

Put instructions where voters need them.

Continue voting next side instruction is placed at the end of the last column on the page.

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

Break instructions into groups.

On paper ballots, place instructions to turn the ballot over at the bottom right hand corner.

On electronic ballots, put instructions for writing in candidates on the write-in screen.

No. 01

At the beginning of the ballot, explain how to change a vote, and that voters Use clear, simple may write in a language. candidate.

Designing usable ballots

17

No. 06

Make instructions and options as simple as possible.

Do not include more than two languages.

If possible, summarize referenda in simple language alongside required formats.

Simple language is often shorter, taking up less space.

Writing instructions voters understand

Anthony Parks Yellow

1

Vote for 1 Marzena Pazgier Vote for 1 pair Brad Plunkard and Blue Joseph Barchi and Welton Phelps Bruce Reeder Joseph Hallaren Yellow Blue Brown

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

7

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 SplitField 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______ Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent and

Instructions

Writing instructions voters understand

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

If an overvoted ballot is encountered, the voter is entitled to another blank ballot after surrendering the spoiled ballot.

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Anthony Parks Yellow

1

1

Victor Martinez Pink

Victor Martinez Heather Portier Pink Gold Instructionsor write-in:

No. 02

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

First Choice

Official Ballot for General Election Continue voting Orange John Hewetson next side Springfield County, Nebraska Orange Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Martin Patterson

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 SplitField 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______ Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent and

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Libertarian

Sylvia WentworthFarthington Purple

Voteorfor 1 pair write-in:

Martin Patterson and Clay Lariviere Gold

Continue voting next side

9 John Hewetson

Continue voting 11 next side

Include information Field Guides To Ensuring that Voter Intent will prevent voters from making errors.

AL FLOWERS

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

DICK FRANSON

Vote for 1

Frederick Sharp and Sylvia WentworthDennis Weiford Burt Zirkle Blue Gray Farthington or write-in: Lloyd Garriss Purple Yellow

Heather Portier State Governor and Gold Lieutenant-Governor

Austin Hildebrand and James Garritty Pink

Put instructions where they are needed. Use page (or screen) numbering to show progress.

or write-in:

Carrie Steel-Loy and George Hovis Pink

U.S. Senator

Do not fold the ballot.

Designing usable ballots

or write-in: Victor Martinez Pink

No. 03

Social Entrepreneurship

AL FLOWERS

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Carroll Forrest John Hewetson Pink Orange

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

JAMES R. EVERETT

Social Entrepreneurship

AL FLOWERS

Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may not count. If you make a mistake or a stray mark, ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

Make your third choice Third here.

Choice

Sylvia WentworthOrange Farthington Purple

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

The Field Guides Writing instructions voters understand are online at civicdesign.org/fieldguides

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

COUNCIL MEMBER Mark your first, second and third choice candidates in the columns below. One to be elected.

WARD FOUR

First Choice

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

Vol. 02

DICK FRANSON

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

CHRISTOPHER CLARK

Wrong: Voter chose more than one candidate in the same column.

Socialist Workers Party

R.T. RYBAK

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Wrong:

BILL MCGAUGHEY

New Dignity Party

TOM FISKE

Socialist Workers Party

Social Entrepreneurship

Wrong: Voter chose the same candidate more than once.

PAPA JOHN KOLSTAD Independent Civic Leader

JOHN CHARLES WILSON Edgertonite National Party

JOEY LOMBARD Is Awesome

BOB CARNEY JR.

Moderate Progressive Censored

BILL MCGAUGHEY New Dignity Party

TOM FISKE

Socialist Workers Party

Wrong:

Third here.

Choice

PAPA JOHN KOLSTAD Independent Civic Leader

Is Awesome

BOB CARNEY JR.

All three choices (if you choose to have three) must be different from each other.

Bruce Reeder Dennis Weiford Yellow Blue

Barbara Adcock and Charles Qualey Orange

or write-in:

Lloyd Garriss Yellow

No. 05

Frederick Sharp and Burt Zirkle Gray

Gerard Harris and Anthony Parks Yellow

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson Gray

Welton Phelps Brown

Insert the completed ballot into the ballot sleeve. Hand in the ballot to be counted.

Frederick Sharp and Burt Zirkle Gray

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue

Gold

15

Support process and navigation.

Carrie Steel-Loy and George Hovis Pink

Vote for 1 pair

Dennis Weiford and Linda Bargmann Marzena Pazgier Luis Garcia Blueand Purple

Turning in the ballot

On optical scan ballots, instructions Brad Garriss Schott or write-in: like these are mostLloyd effective when Purple Yellow placed just before the first contests.

Glen Tawney

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

Optional write-in

Wrong:

works the same way. completely 1. Pick your first choice candidate and All three under choices (if you choose to have fill in the oval next to that candidate First three) must be different from each other.

Choice, like this: If you make a mistake - or cross out or

Adam Cramer

or write-in:

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor

Austin Hildebrand and

To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

/5

U.S. Representative

Carroll Forrest Pink

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

Martin Patterson

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent

or write-in:

Glen Tawney Orange

James Garritty U.S. Senator Pink

Linda Bargmann and Luis Garcia Purple Barbara Adcock and Charles Qualey Orange

Brad Schott Purple

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

Vote for 1and Clay Lariviere

1

Designing usable ballots

Anthony Parks Yellow

/5

U.S. Representative

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

Optional write-in

A candidate’s name should be bolder than his/her party affiliation.

Candidates’ names and options should be presented with equal importance.

Precinct 0001 Ward 0002 Split 0003 Poll Worker Initials _______ _______

Gerard Harris

1

Vote for 1

or write-in:

ask for a new ballot from the poll workers.

Do not fold the ballot.

A contest header should be more prominent than the candidates’ names.

Carrie Steel-Loy and George Hovis Pink

Charlene Franz and Chris Norberg Blue

Marzena Pazgier Vote for 1 pair Brad Plunkard and Blue Joseph Barchi and Welton Phelps Bruce Reeder Joseph Hallaren Yellow Blue Brown

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote

Designing usable ballots

Linda Bargmann and Luis Garcia Purple

Marzena Pazgier and Welton Phelps Brown

Insert the completed ballot into the ballot sleeve. Hand in the ballot to be counted.

President and Vice-President of the United States

Making selections

The ballot title should be the most prominent.

Gerard Harris and Anthony Parks Yellow

Vote for 1 pair

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent and

Vote for 1 pair

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson Gray

or write-in:

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson Gray

Insert the completed ballot in every race. into the ballot sleeve. Hand Do not cross out or erase, or your vote may not count. If you make a in the ballot to be counted. mistake or a stray mark,

25

Carroll Forrest Pink

Martin Patterson and Clay Lariviere Gold

Instructions

State Governor and Lieutenant-Governor

Martin Patterson and Clay Lariviere Gold

To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Glen Tawney Orange

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

or write-in:

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

Brad Schott Purple

Daniel Court and Amy Blumhard Purple

Austin Hildebrand and James Garritty Pink

Turning in the ballot

Carroll Forrest Pink

Bruce Reeder Yellow

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

To add a candidate, fill in the oval to the left14 of “or write-in” and print the name clearly on the dotted line.

Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent Use layout and text size to help voters know what to pay attention to.

Brad Schott Purple

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

Brad Plunkard Blue

Lowercase letters are more legible than ALL CAPITAL LETTERS Do not cross out or or your vote may Alvin Boone because they makeerase, that areand notshapes count. If you make a mistake or a stray mark, James Lian Orange for a new ballot from easier to recognize.ask the poll workers.

1 Show what’s most important.

/5

President and Vice-President of the United States Vote for 1 pair

Vote for 1

Joseph Barchi and Joseph Hallaren Blue

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

/5

U.S. Representative

Vote for 1 pair

Optional write-in

The Field Guides are online at civicdesign.org/fieldguides

Instructions

1

7 President and Vice-President of the United States

No. 01

1

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Official Ballot for General Election Springfield County, Nebraska Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Instructions

Gerard Harris

andto the left of Fill in the oval Anthony Parks the name ofYellow your choice.

Linda Bargmann You must blacken the oval and Marzena Pazgier Garcia completely, Luis and do not make and Purple Welton Phelps Brown any marks outside of the Barbara Adcock and or write-in: Charles oval. You doOrange not Qualey have to vote in every race.

Elizabeth Harp and Antoine Jefferson Gray

Vol. 01

Vote for 1

Joseph Barchi and Joseph Hallaren Blue

Vote for 1 pair

Martin Patterson and Clay Lariviere Gold

U.S. Representative

Vote for 1 pair

or write-in:

Alvin Boone and James Lian Orange

Optional write-in

Use contrast and color to support meaning.

/5

Brad Schott Purple

Adam Cramer and Greg Vuocolo Yellow

23

/5

Vote for 1 pair

Fill in the oval to the left of the name of your choice.

You must blacken the oval completely, and do not make any marks outside of the oval. You do not have to vote in every race.

Center for Civic Design Field Guides

No. 02

Put instructions where voters need them.

Break instructions into groups.

On paper ballots, place instructions to turn the ballot over at the bottom right hand corner.

On electronic ballots, put instructions for writing in candidates on the write-in screen.

9

How can we design ballots and voting methods that are accessible to all types of voters?

Designing ballots that are accessible to all voters is a fundamental aspect of ensuring an inclusive electoral process.

Braille ballots allow blind voters to exercise their right to vote privately and independently. Largeprint ballots aid voters with low vision by providing clear and easy-to-read text with enlarged fonts and well-contrasted colors. Additionally, under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, jurisdictions with substantial numbers of individuals who are limited English

BALLOT DESIGN AND COLLECTION

54

proficient (LEP) must provide voting materials in languages other than English to ensure meaningful access to the electoral process. As a result, many jurisdictions provide ballots in multiple languages, including Native American languages spoken by tribal communities in specific areas.

⊳ A tweet from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office noting the use of braille and large-print ballots.

For some voters, such as overseas and military voters, time and distance prevents them from receiving and mailing their ballots such that they arrive in time to be counted. The Federal Voting Assistance Program serves such voters to allow them to vote abroad.

Federal law requires that every state provide services for eligible voters overseas, both military and civilian.

These voters are often referred to as UOCAVA voters, based on the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (1986). Local election officials play a central role in supporting and serving these voters by providing voting information by mail and electronically;

many states allow overseas voters to return their ballot electronically. This voting population faces the challenges of time and distance in participating in an election—from a submarine traveling the depths of the ocean​to the space shuttle circling the Earth—election officials still make sure overseas voters’ voices are heard and their ballots counted. ⊳ A service member browses through the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program, a non-politically affiliated organization, informs soldiers about upcoming elections and the election process.

⊲ NASA astronauts can transmit their votes from space, via the Space Center, to the county clerk responsible for casting the ballot. Here, Kate Rubins is shown on the International Space Station where she cast her vote in 2020.

How can we offer voters ways to successfully return their ballots?

An increasing number of voters are receiving their ballots by mail. Those voters need to properly return their ballots, and election offices must securely and efficiently collect those ballots for processing.

There are multiple ways for voters to return their completed ballot, including through the USPS, at their local election office, at a polling place, or at a designated ballot drop-box location. Creating these options, and also conveying specific procedures and restrictions to the voter effectively can impact their understanding of

▲ A voter drops their ballot off in Johnson County, Iowa.

BALLOT DESIGN AND COLLECTION

56

⊲ A ballot drop box located outside of Boston City Hall. ⊲ (opposite page) An official ballot drop box in Olmstead County, Minnesota.

the process and their ability to successfully navigate the requirements. All states allow for completed ballots to be mailed back, but there is variation in when they have to be received. All states also allow for in-person return of ballots, but there is variation in when, where, and who can return them.

How can we design secure and efficient drop boxes for ballots?

Sloped edge to protect ballots while being removed in rain Opening slot designed to be limited only to ballot entry Angled entry slot to prevent liquid entry

Ballot drop boxes have different regulations associated with them. Depending on the state, they may be supervised or recorded through security cameras. The design of ballot drop boxes prioritizes security and efficiency in both ballot drop-off and retrieval.

Multi-lingual instructions provided

No grip points or openings for security

BALLOT DESIGN AND COLLECTION

58

Distinct colors used to provide higher contrast for visual accessibility

⊲ An example of a well-designed official ballot box, from Los Angeles County, California.

How can we design vote-by-mail systems to serve voters and allow efficient processing?

There are a number issues to consider in vote-by-mail systems: increasing voters’ understanding and trust of procedures, complying with US Postal Service mail handling requirements, and ensuring election offices can receive and process ballots efficiently. Well-designed return envelopes actually do a lot of work by addressing all of these issues, at least in part.

While it may seem to be of minor importance, the design of return envelopes can make a big difference in the success of voting by mail. Voters sign envelopes to attest to their identity; this signature is matched to signatures on file to verify authenticity. If a voter neglects to sign or leaves out other required

BALLOT DESIGN AND COLLECTION

60

information, the ballot is rejected. Rejected ballots result in voters not having their votes counted, or at least cause additional election office work to cure the ballots (if allowed by state law). A well-designed envelope can drastically reduce voter mistakes and resulting rejected ballots.

▲ Absentee ballots requested by West Virginia voters await delivery to the Charleston post office for mailing. Lime green official election tags mark the tray's contents as Official Election Mail.

Voting-by-mail envelopes are an essential part of the voter experience.

Typically, both an outgoing and return envelope are sent by local election officials to eligible voters. Their optimal design not only ensures quick delivery and efficient processing, it also streamlines the voting experience.

An example return envelope prepared by the Center for Civic Design.

Different colors for different envelope types (e.g., Outgoing/ return)

Franklin County Elections Office 4321 Franklin Avenue Franklin, HN 99999-1234 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED First class postage required Se requiere franqueo de primera clase

Return envelope Official ballot To be opened only by Canvassing Board

Well-spaced, multilingual Instructions

Sobre de retorno Boleta oficial

Franklin County Elections Department 4321 Franklin Avenue Franklin, HN 99999-1234

Para ser abierto únicamente por la Junta de Escrutinio Drop off your ballot by 7pm on Election Day. Mail your ballot so that it is postmarked by Election Day. Entreque su boleta electoral hasta las 7 pm el Día de las Elecciones.

Envíe su boleta para que tenga el sello postal antes del Día de las Elecciones.

Did you…  Sign the voter’s declaration in your own handwriting?  Put your ballot in the envelope?

Made a mistake on your ballot?

Call the election office for a replacement 111-222-3333 or elections@yourcounty.gov

Revise si…  ¿Firmó la declaración del votante con su propia letra?  ¿Colocó su boleta electoral en el sobre?

¿Cometió un error en su boleta electoral?

Llame a la oficina electoral para un reemplazo 111-222-4444 o elections@yourcounty.gov

I authorize the person below to return my ballot: Autorizo a la persona abajo a devolver mi boleta: Their name / Su nombre Their signature / Su firma Relationship to voter / Relación con el votante

Voter’s declaration I declare that • I am a resident of and a voter in the county, and the person whose name appears on this envelope.

I have not applied, nor will I apply for a vote-by-mail ballot from any other jurisdiction in this election.

I declare under penalty of perjury that this is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

•

•

You must sign in your own handwriting. Your signature must match the signature on your voter registration card.

Voting twice in an election is a crime.

Declaración del votante Yo declaro que: • Soy residente y votante en el condado, y la persona cuyo nombre aparece en este sobre.

No he solicitado, ni solicitaré una boleta electoral de voto por correo de ninguna otra jurisdicción en esta elección.

Declaro bajo pena de perjurio que esto es verdadero a mi leal saber y entender.

•

•

Debe firmar en su propria letre. Su firma debe coincidir con la firma en su tarjeta de registro de votante.

Votar dos veces en una elección es un crimen.

Voter, sign here in ink.

Votante, firme aquí con tinta

Power of attorney is not acceptable.

No se aceptan poderes notariales.

Date / Fecha (MM/DD/YYYY)

Print name / Imprimir nombrete

Print your voter registration address / Imprime tu dirección de registro de votante

If you are unable to sign, make your mark and have a witness sign below: Si usted no puede firmar, haga una marca y haga que un testigo firme abajo:

Witness, sign here / Testigo, firme aquí

Franklin County General Election November 7, 2018

Postal and election requirements for layout fulfilled

Valentina Q. Voter 5678 Seventh Ave, Apt 9863 Franklin, HN 99999-1278

Intelligent barcodes for tracking

Improving the vote-by-mail experience

Making ballot envelopes clear and understandable: The impact of plain language on voter signature forms January 19, 2021 Sean Isamu Johnson Whitney Quesenbery Center for Civic Design

This project is supported by The Democracy Fund, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and other donors

Making Ballot Envelopes Clear and Understandable

by S. Johnson and W. Quesenbery, Center for Civic Design (2021)

Processing & Reporting the Vote After votes are cast comes the considerable work of transporting, tracking, and counting ballots. Election offices then report the results, first releasing preliminary unofficial results and eventually the official final results.

All cast ballots must be processed: their eligibility authenticated, votes counted and accounted for, and votes included in the results. This must be done securely, transparently, and accurately.

Some ballots are counted centrally while others are counted at the polls. Ballot processing can have many stages and should have a documented chain of custody, quality controls, and auditing policies. Finally, the vote counts must be reported. For every election, not just Presidential Elections or elections with a close race, election professionals follow the same procedure to ensure that all eligible ballots are included in the final results. All this is done with the public and media awaiting announcement of the official winners.

⊳ Absentee ballots are opened, reviewed, and processed in a vote center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How can we organize the stages of ballot processing for efficiency?

Perhaps overlooked by the public, the work to collect and process ballots is a significant undertaking. This system is designed for efficiency, tracking, and security, and has opportunities to continue to improve and adapt to new laws and regulations in each jurisdiction.

Ballots come from various sources, including in-person voting and via mail. Mail-in ballots will be removed from their return envelopes, flattened, and readied to be scanned and counted.

Once cast, ballots undergo a thorough verification process to confirm their legitimacy and compliance with legal requirements. This verification includes

PROCESSING AND REPORTING THE VOTE

64

confirming the voter’s eligibility, matching signatures, and ensuring the absence of any irregularities.

Following verification, the ballots are counted, a process that can involve manual counting, machine tabulation, or a combination of both depending on the jurisdiction.

⊳ Printouts of the final paper tape, listing results of voting from locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Election workers review the results and sign off. ⊲ Bins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to hold and store absentee ballots.

Incoming ballots are sorted and stored until they are scanned, and votes are counted.

How can we design systems to transport and process ballots securely?

Ballots cast in-person at local polling place must be collected, sorted, and transported to central sites for counting. This must be done securely and with a system to record and ensure that security.

The standard way to ensure the security of ballots is a “Chain of Custody.” A successful Chain of Custody provides a documented and unbroken trail that tracks the movement and handling of ballots, from the moment they are cast to the point where they are counted and results are determined. This meticulous process involves a series of carefully recorded steps, often under the supervision of bipartisan election officials, to prevent tampering or

PROCESSING AND REPORTING THE VOTE

66

unauthorized access to the ballots. Throughout this chain, ballots are sealed, signed for, and securely transported between different stages, including collection, verification, counting, and storage. By maintaining an unbroken Chain of Custody, election authorities can confidently demonstrate the legitimacy of the results and safeguard against any potential challenges to the accuracy and fairness of the electoral process.

⊳ Cast absentee ballots are delivered to a polling site for processing, by a police officer in Chelsea, Massachusetts.

▲ (clockwise) Tamper-evident seals on voting machines and election materials are removed when setting up a polling site in Virginia; a signed envelope showing Chain of Custody, in Wisconsin; ballots from drop boxes delivered to the Department of Elections in Massachusetts; Chief Deputy City Clerk signs the date and time he emptied a ballot drop box in Michigan.

An example of the Chain of Custody The transport and transfer of election materials is carefully controlled and documented by local election officials.

The process begins after voters turn in their ballots

Chain of custody record created: • Label ballot container • Seal container • Record: authorized personnel, seal number, location

Ballots are transferred

Ballots are secured

• Inspect Seal on ballot container • Record: container condition, personnel name/signature, new location

New chain of custody information is recorded: • Authorized personnel • Container label

Ballots are prepared for transfer:

• Seal number • Current location

CHAIN OF CUSTODY IS MAINTAINED

How can we provide the public with transparency into how votes are counted and recorded?

Engaging with the public during ballot processing is a critical step toward building confidence in our democratic system.

Transparency of election processing necessitates effective observation, but watchers and observers need to understand what they are seeing.

Color-coding, consistent use of descriptive icons, and sequencing of stages can help demystify the process. With the growing use of live-streaming as

PROCESSING AND REPORTING THE VOTE

68

a way to observe vote counting, the inclusion of proper signage is essential so those viewing online can better understand their elections. Election officials must also design a viewing layout that allows for meaningful observation without compromising ballot security.

There are a number of measures election administrators can design and implement to increase transparency in vote counting, leading to increased trust in elections.

Clear Signage

Designated Places

Remote Screenings

Directing election observers through the processing center in a streamlined manner ensures that processing continues efficiently while allowing public transparency over the process.

Ensuring that the observation is kept separate from the processing maintains the security of the ballots.

Observation areas can be integrated into the center by creating designated pathways.

Several polling stations set up video cameras at different parts of the processing center, allowing observers to review proceedings in a location that is physically distinct from the processing center.

⊲ Yellow tape used to clearly mark areas where ballot observers can watch from at the Salt Lake City, Utah ballot processing center.

⊲ Video surveillance records various areas where ballots are located at the Jefferson County elections office on Oct. 21, 2020.

⊳ (opposite page) Election observers in Las Vegas, Nevada watching ballot counting.

How can we set the right expectations for when a race could be called?

Reporting results to the public and media—in addition to official channels—is a critical role of election offices.

Is the election over when the polls close? Absolutely not—not in any state. Although voting has ceased, votes are still being processed, counted, and tallied until all eligible votes are accounted for. On election night, election officials release the unofficial results of what has been counted and tallied at that time. It is standard that additional information is reported concerning the percent of precincts that have come in or the volume of outstanding ballots yet to be counted.

With this information, if the margin of victory appears to be wide enough the media will project who they believe the final winner will be. If the race

PROCESSING AND REPORTING THE VOTE

70

is close, projected winners will not be declared by the press until more votes are counted and tallied.

Regardless, the only declaration that really matters is the official final result that is reported out by the election officials—which usually occurs with very little fanfare.

While we might want immediate resolution of an election, there are many factors that influence when a race can be called. Every state has laws concerning when the scanning can occur, when those counts can be tallied (accumulated), and when initial, unofficial results can be released. This influences their timetable to report results.

⊳ A graphic of the elections returns timeline from the Pennsylvania Department of State, in 2022. Note how it communicates the dates of the basic sequence to count and report votes.

Different states have vastly different rules and procedures for processing ballots and tabulating votes. Understanding this helps explain why we see election results coming in from different states at very different timelines. The graphic below shows timelines of a number of different states, which

illustrates how the varied laws create different starting lines for states to complete their vote counting. This disparity, in addition to factors such as differing number of ballots cast and the capacity to count votes in each jurisdiction, creates the uneven reporting counts we experience.

⊳ A New York Times graphic shows preprocessing and tabulation for various states for the 2020 Election.

How can we present election results so the public can access and comprehend them?

Results reporting gets a lot of attention. A lot. This is where concise, informative design really shines.

Website dashboards, mapping graphics, and historical The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) overlays can convey where a particular race stands, supports election offices, including with guidance who the eventual winner will be, and who has voted. in reporting results. Below is an EAC guide outlining Not all election offices have websites, and not principles for effective results reporting. The image all elections websites have the capability to satisfy on the right shows a Yolo County, California reporting modern information needs as many offices don’t have page, with many of these principles implemented. their own IT staff to support them. In fact, roughly a third of our election offices don’t have a full-time staff person.

Voters look to election officials for trusted information about election results. How election officials display election results can play a key role in Best Practices: Election Results Reporting

facilitating public confidence in election outcomes. The greater the stakes in an election, the greater the possibility that voters may not trust the results. Vote totals released on election night are unofficial and may change before final election results are certified. There are several reasons vote totals change, including adding eligible late-arriving mailed ballots and provisional ballots to the final tally. The timeframe for local election officials to complete the certification process ranges from one to 30 days after the election. It is important for election officials to provide context when sharing election results after polls close on election night until results are certified.

Example Election Results Reporting Website Your County Elections, Your State Registration

Voting Election Results

Provide Clear, Concise Information Explain the election reporting process in plain language Search . . .

FAQs About Us

Display Report Timestamps Each results report should clearly show the date and time of the report

Election Results Your County Elections publishes unofficial results for elections to its website after the polls close on the night of the election. Election results are unofficial until canvassed. The purpose of the canvass is to account for every voted ballot and ensure that each valid vote is included in the official results. After the canvass is completed, the results of the election will be audited. This audit will review voted ballots to confirm that the election results are accurate before they are certified as official. Official results are available after certification.

November 8, 2022 Election Results Unofficial Election Results

Last Updated, November 10, 2022, 2:34 pm

Your County Clerk (Vote for 1)

Precincts Reporting 100%

Candidate A

Download Results 1st unofficial election results as of 8:00 pm, November 8, 2022.

Includes totals from all mailed ballots and early voting processed prior to Election Day. 2nd unofficial election results as of 9:30 pm, November 8, 2022.

Includes totals from in-person voting on Election Day.

Candidate B Voter Turnout

PROCESSING AND REPORTING THE VOTE

72

0

500

Total Registered Voters Total Ballots Cast

83% Turnout

1,000 5224 4324

1,500

2,000 2,500 Votes Cast by Type of Voting

Glossary

Precincts Reporting - The number of in-person voting locations included in the vote totals. There still may be additional absentee and provisional votes added to the final tally prior to certification.

Contact Your County Elections +123-456-7890

Ensure Accessibility Alt-Text - Also called alt tags and alt descriptions, alt text is the written copy that appears in place of an image on a webpage to help screen-reading tools describe images to visually impaired readers. Learn more: https://www.section508.gov/create/synchronized-media/ Section 508 Compliance - Section 508 is a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. Learn more: https://www.section508.gov/test/web-software/

Make Data Easy to Download Use common data formats Provide results as .csv or .xml files Include information about which ballots (i.e., early voting, by-mail and absentee, election day, provisional, write-in votes) are included in each report Post all reports in chronological order to show how votes changed throughout the reporting period Provide a timeline for when to expect updates Define Key Terms Provide a glossary of election terms A Glossary of Election Terminology, defining nearly 1,300 words in 21 languages can be found on the EAC website: https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/glossaries-election-terminology

Display Election Information Visually - Charts and graphs can quickly convey key information about the election and make the results easier to understand.

Bar charts are easy to read, and their lengths are proportional to the values that they represent. Bar charts are widely used to display candidate vote totals Pie charts show the comparisons between different categories and provide useful context for election data Radial Progress charts help visualize percentages towards a goal of 100%

Additional Resources U.S. Web Design Systems (USWDS) - USWDS was created by a collaborative team at 18F and the U.S. Digital Service in 2015 to make accessible, mobile-friendly government websites: https://designsystem.digital.gov/ 18F Methods - The 18F Methods are a collection of tools that describe how teams put human-centered design into practice: https://methods.18f.gov/

▲ A guide from the Election Assistance Commission illustrating the many ways an Election Result site can help communicate information to the public. From the EAC: “The election results reported on election night are never the final, certified results. Election officials well know there are various other steps and factors that impact when election results are final. Communicating that information with the public can be a challenge. . . . How election officials display election results can play a key role in facilitating public confidence in election outcomes.”

A Best Practices Guide for Election Results Reporting Websites from the Election Assistance Commission.

▲ A screenshot of an Election Results map from the Yolo County Elections Office (California), using the ArcGIS geographic information system platform.

Conclusion We hope this booklet has highlighted the critical role that design plays in many aspects of election administration, from the moment a voter registers to the final counting of ballots. As discussed, thoughtful design influences the effectiveness and accessibility of polling site selection and layout, the clarity and impact of voter registration and communication efforts, the engagement and efficiency of election workers, the usability of ballots and the integrity of their collection, and the transparency and accuracy of vote processing and reporting. Each of these areas demonstrates how well-considered design can make the voting experience more intuitive, inclusive, and secure for all participants.

For students studying design, we hope this booklet serves as an invitation to consider how their skills can impact the civic sphere. As they develop their careers, they can explore opportunities to work in public service or collaborate with organizations focused on improving election systems. They can also engage in projects that address real-world challenges in election design, from creating accessible voter guides to redesigning the user experience of voting technology. By applying their talents to election administration, design students can help ensure that the future of voting is not only more accessible and efficient but also more empowering for all citizens.

For designers, we believe they have a unique opportunity to contribute to the improvement of election infrastructure. Designers can collaborate with election offices to create more user-friendly interfaces for online voter portals, design ballots that reduce errors and confusion, and develop communication materials that resonate with diverse audiences. Designers can also work to create systems that are not only functional but also more voter centered. By lending their expertise to this critical area, designers can play a significant role in strengthening democracy.

For election officials, we hope they will see the work they do in a new light—many of their efforts can already be seen as being design work. As we look to the future, it’s crucial to continue integrating and expanding the role of design in election administration. There is still tremendous potential to innovate, improve, and ensure that our elections are as accessible, efficient, and secure as possible. By embracing a human-centered approach and leveraging modern design tools, election officials can continue to create systems that better serve the needs of every voter.

Ultimately, we each have a unique role to play in ensuring a safe, transparent, and trustworthy election in the United States. By all working together, we not only ensure successful elections, but also that the democratic process truly engages and reflects the voice and will of the people.

About this book The “Election Administrators / Election Designer” exhibit and this accompanying booklet were created by Nadia Roumani, David Janka, and Thomas Both from the Stanford University Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (aka, the d.school) in collaboration with senior advisor, Tammy Patrick. The team also included the d.school’s Election Innovation Corp students.

We are sharing this exhibit under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (CC BY-NC 4.0), which enables others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work for non-commercial use—other than Sue Dorfman’s photos, for which rights are outlined below.

Image credits Photographs, unless otherwise noted, copyright © by Sue Dorfman: Sue Dorfman’s photos are shared under Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), allowing people to download and distribute the work, but not commercially, and they must attribute the original work and may not create derivatives.

All photographs are by Sue Dorfman with the exception of those listed below.

The Elections Administrator Competencies Wheel visual created by The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (pg 8).

A sample elections calendar spreadsheet created by The Elections Group (pg 10–11).

Staff picture of Dubuque elections staff, courtesy of Dubuque County (pg 12).

Staff picture courtesy of Doña Ana County Elections Bureau (pg 13).

Design practices icons via The Noun Project (pg 14).

Photo of laundromat polling site, Ryan Donnell, Smithsonian Magazine (pg 18).

Photo of schoolhouse polling site, Ryan Donnell, Smithsonian Magazine (pg 19, top).

Photo of garage polling site, Jessica Christian, San Francisco Chronicle (pg 19, bottom).

Screenshot of the “Voting Location and Outreach Tool”, from The Center for Inclusive Democracy (pg 20–21).

Screenshot of the URI VOTES Polling Location Layout Diagrams tool, from The University of Rhode Island (pg 24).

Image from the ADA Checklist for Polling Place, U.S. Dept of Justice (pg 26–27).

76

Images of Pennsylvania Voter Registration Application forms, Pennsylvania Department of State, via The Center for Civic Design (pg 32–33).

Photo of voter registration drive, League of Women Voters of Prince George’s County website (pg 34) Photo of Grand Canyon registration site, Bri Cossavella, Cronkite News (pg 34).

Photo of Vo+er kiosk, Einstein Medical Center, featured in Philadelphia Magazine (pg 35, bottom left).

Photo of Vo+er badge, Dr. Alister Martin and Dr. Ashlee Murray (pg 35, bottom right).

Photo of voter registering, Austin AmericanStatesman (pg 36, top).

Image of voter registration promotion, Tennessee Secretary of State (pg 36, bottom).

Images from Snohomish County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet, County of Snohomish Elections Office (pg 37) Images of Nassau County voter education texts, US Election Assistance Commission 2023 Clearie Awards (pg 38) Images of Hillsborough County voter education video, Vimeo (pg 39) Photo of election workers, Jen Rice, Houston Public Media (pg 42).

An Instagram post from the Harris County Elections Administrator’s Office (pg 43, top).

A tweet from the Harris County Elections Administrator’s Office (pg 43, bottom).

Images from San Francisco’s Poll Worker Manual, City and County of San Francisco (pg 46–47).

Photo of a Poll Worker Appreciation Day event, Forsyth County website (pg 48).

Photo of election pins, from San Bernardino County Elections tweet (pg 49, top).

Photo of a Poll Worker Appreciation Day event, Cole County (pg 49, bottom).

Sample images from The Center for Civic Design Field Guides (pg 53).

A tweet from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office (pg 54).

Photo of service member on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, Defense Visual Information Distribution Services (pg 55, top).

Photo of NASA astronaut, NASA (pg 55, bottom).

Image of Los Angeles County Ballot Box, Los Angeles County Registrar (pg 59).

Images of Franklin County ballot envelopes, via The Center for Civic Design (pg 61).

Chain of Custody icons via The Noun Project (page 67, bottom).

Photo of Election observers, Bridget Bennet, The New York Times (pg 68).

Photo of yellow tape marking areas in the Salt Lake City ballot processing center, Trent Nelson, Salt Lake Tribune (pg 69, top).

Photo of video surveillance monitors, Eli Imadali, Colorado Newsline (pg 69, bottom).

Election Returns Timeline graphic, Pennsylvania Department of State (pg 70).

Graphic of vote processing timelines, The New York Times (pg 71).

Image from A Best Practices Guide for Election Results Reporting Websites, Election Assistance Commission (pg 72).

Screenshot of an Election Results map, using the ArcGIS platform (pg 73).