Ballot design best practices

Ballot design best practices

Dana Chisnell

@danachis @ChadButterfly

Democracy is a design problem

HAVA did not cure this problem

Poor ballot design

• frustrates voters

• undermines confidence

• contributes to Election Day problems

Classic problems

splitting contests into different columns

placing different contests on the same screen

placing response options on both sides of names

using arrows rather than bubbles on paper ballots

leaving in disqualified candidates

Better Ballots: Re-designed Ballot, Kewaunee County

Keep contests in same column

Better Ballots: Sarasota County, FL (2006)

Classic problems

inconsistency in format and style

not using shading, bold text

not writing short, simple instructions

placing instructions too far away

not telling voters how to correct paper ballots

Multiple modesStraight party

Vote for 1

Vote for n

RCV

Retention questions

Measures

Top 10 design principles

Use lowercase letters

Avoid centered text

Pick one sans-serif font

Use big enough type

Support process and navigation

Use clear, simple language

Use accurate instructional illustrations

Use informational icons (only)

Use contrast and color functionally

Decide what’s most important

Cedar County: May 2006 for ES&S optical scanners

Cedar County: November 2006 for

ES&S optical scanners

King County: November 2004 for Premier optical scanners

King County: November 2008 for Premier optical scanners

Shawnee County: November 2004 for Premier optical scanners

Shawnee County: November 2008 for Premier optical scanners

No testing = lost votesKing Co. 2009 undervotes were disproportionate to other counties

resulted in legislation about ballot design

Ensuring franchiseMinnesota SoS tests vote-by-mail after 2008 senate recounts

Before

Ensuring franchiseMinnesota SoS tests vote-by-mail after 2008 senate recounts

After

DEMONSTRATION BALLOTSAMPLE BALLOT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION - City of New York - County of Kings - November 2, 2010

1. BEFORE VOTING THIS BALLOT, PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS BALLOT.

1. ANTES DE EMITIR SU VOTO CON ESTA PAPELETA, SÍRVASE LEER LAS INSTRUCCIONES EN EL DORSO DE ESTA PAPELETA.

2. BALLOT PROPOSALS ARE LOCATED ON THE OTHE SIDE OF THIS BALLOT.

2. LAS PROPUESTAS DE PAPELETA APARECEN EN EL DORO DE ESTA PAPELETA.

MARKING

INSTRUCTIONS:

INSTRUCCIONES

DE MARCADO:

Correct Mark:

Marca Correcta:

[Insert Chinese Translation]

[Insert Korean Translation]

Electors for

Governor and

Lieutenant

Governor

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

Comptroller

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

Attorney General

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

United States

Senator

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

United States

Senator

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

Supreme Court

Justice

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote for any FIVE

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

Representative in

Congress

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

State

Senator

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

Member of

Assembly

[Spanish]

[Chinese]

[Korean]Vote Once

Vote una vez

[Chinese]

[Korean]

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F 1G 1H

1K 1J 1I

2A 2B 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G

3G3F3E3D3C3B3A

4I4K 4J

4G4F4E4D4C4B4A

5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F 5G

6E6D6C6B6A

7A 7B 7C 7D 7E

8E8D8C8B8A

9E9D9C9B9A

10D10C10B10A

13D13C13B13A

12C12B12A

11C11B11A

4H

WRITE-IN

CANDIDATO POR

ESCRITO

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

WRITE-IN

A B C D E F G H

K J I

A B C D E F G

A B C D E F G

A B C D E F G H

K J I

A B C D E F G

EDCBA

A B C

CBA

DCBA

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Democratic[Chinese]

[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]

Independence[Chinese]

[Korean]

Conservative[Chinese]

[Korean]

Working Families[Chinese]

[Korean]

Green[Chinese]

[Korean]

Rent is 2 DamnHigh

[Chinese]

[Korean]

Libertarian[Chinese]

[Korean]

Taxpayers[Chinese]

[Korean]

Freedom[Chinese]

[Korean]

Anti-Prohibition[Chinese]

[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]

Green[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]

Freedom[Chinese]

[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]

Green[Chinese]

[Korean]

Rent is 2 DamnHigh

[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]

Tax Revolt[Chinese]

[Korean]

Taxpayers[Chinese]

[Korean]

Anti-Prohibition[Chinese]

[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]

Green[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]

Republican[Chinese]

[Korean]


[Korean]


[Korean]

HAnti-Prohibition

[Chinese]

[Korean]

5H

HarryWilson[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Andrew M.Cuomo[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Carl P.Paladino

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Carl P.Paladino

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

HowieHawkins

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

JimmyMcMillan

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

WarrenRedlich[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Carl P.Paladino

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

CharlesBarron[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Kristin M.Davis

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Thomas P.DiNapoli

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Thomas P.DiNapoli

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Julia A.Willebrand

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

JohnGaetani[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eric T.Schneiderman

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

BruceBlakeman

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eric T.Schneiderman

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

DanDonovan

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eric T.Schneiderman

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Carl E.Person[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Ramon J.Jimenez

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Kristen E.Gillibrand

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Joseph J.DioGuardi

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Joseph J.DioGuardi

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Cecile A.Lawrence

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

JosephHuff

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

JohnClifton[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

DanDonovan

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Joseph J.DioGuardi

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

VivaMorgan[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Charles E.Schumer

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eugene M.Fahey

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Charles E.Schumer

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

JayTownsend

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Charles E.Schumer

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

ColiaClark

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Randy A.Credico[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Randy A.Credico[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Kevin M.Dillon

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Cheryl A.Green

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Kevin M.Dillon

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Kevin M.Dillon

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Kevin M.Dillon

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eugene M.Fahey

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Mark C.Rodgers

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eugene M.Fahey

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

JayTownsend

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eugene M.Fahey

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Mark A.Montour

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Deborah A.Chimes[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Mark A.Montour

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Deborah A.Chimes[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Cathrine NugentPanepinto

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Nydia M.Velazquez

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Nydia M.Velazquez

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Henry J.Nowak[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

AliceGaffney[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Paul B.Wojtaszek

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Paul B.Wojtaszek

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Jeffrey F.Voelkl

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]


[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Daniel L.Squadron

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Joseph A.Nardiello

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Daniel L.Squadron

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

John L.Millman[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

John A.Jasilli, Jr.

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

John A.Jasilli, Jr.

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

John L.Millman[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Robert J.Duffy

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Gregory J.Edwards

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Robert J.Duffy

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Gregory J.Edwards

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Robert J.Duffy

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

GloriaMattera[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

AldenLink

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Gregory J.Edwards

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

Eva M.Doyle

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

TanyaGendelman

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

[Korean]

[Korean]

RDH

RDH

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✺

✺

a

a

a

:;New York sued for usability problems

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CA44-1-001D

VOTE BOTH SIDES (2A) CA44-1-001D

DEM 1

DEM 1

DEM 1

OFFICIAL BALLOT

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016

This ballot stub shall be removed and retained by the voter

OFFICIAL BALLOT PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

DEMOCRATIC PARTY COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016

Instructions to Voters: x Use only a blue or black ballpoint pen to mark your choices.

x You must connect the head and tail of the arrow for your vote to count. You only need to draw one line.

x To vote for a qualified write-in candidate, write the person’s name on the blank line provided and connect the head and tail of the arrow.

x If you make a mistake, ask a poll worker for another ballot. If you are voting by mail, follow the instructions you received with your ballot.

Party-Nominated Offices Only voters who disclosed a preference upon registering to vote for the same party as the candidate seeking the nomination of any party for the Presidency or election to a party committee may vote for that candidate at the primary election, unless the party has adopted a rule to permit non-party voters to vote in its primary elections.

Voter-Nominated and Nonpartisan OfficesAll voters, regardless of the party preference they disclosed upon registration, or refusal to disclose a party preference, may vote for any candidate for a voter-nominated or nonpartisan office. The party preference, if any, designated by a candidate for a voter-nominated office is selected by the candidate and is shown for the information of the voters only. It does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party or that the party approves of the candidate. The party preference, if any, of a candidate for a nonpartisan office does not appear on the ballot.

United States Senator continued on next column

United States Senator contest has 35 candidates. Only vote for One

Vote for OnePresidential Preference

President of the UnitedStates

Party-Nominated Offices

KEITH JUDD

MICHAEL STEINBERG

BERNIE SANDERS

WILLIE WILSON

ROQUE DE LA FUENTE

HILLARY CLINTON

HENRY HEWES

Vote for One

United States SenatorVoter-Nominated Offices

GEORGE C. YANG

AccountantParty Preference: Republican

JERRY J. LAWSParty Preference: Republican

GAIL K. LIGHTFOOTParty Preference: Libertarian

MIKE BEITIKSParty Preference: None

PAMELA ELIZONDOParty Preference: Green

SCOTT A. VINEBERGParty Preference: None

STEVE STOKESParty Preference: Democratic

DUF SUNDHEIMParty Preference: Republican

LING LING SHIParty Preference: None

LORETTA L. SANCHEZParty Preference: Democratic

PHIL WYMANParty Preference: Republican

JARRELL WILLIAMSONParty Preference: Republican

THOMAS G. DEL BECCAROParty Preference: Republican

RON UNZParty Preference: Republican

GREG CONIONParty Preference: Republican

JASON KRAUSParty Preference: None

TIM GILDERSLEEVEParty Preference: None

CLIVE GREYParty Preference: None

DON J. GRUNDMANNParty Preference: None

PRESIDENT CRISTINA GRAPPOParty Preference: Democratic

HERBERT G. PETERSParty Preference: Democratic

TOM PALZERParty Preference: Republican

KAREN ROSEBERRYParty Preference: Republican

EMORY PERETZ RODGERSParty Preference: Democratic

DON KRAMPEParty Preference: Republican

MARK MATTHEW HERDParty Preference: Libertarian

VON HOUGOParty Preference: Republican

JASON HANANIAParty Preference: None

KAMALA D HARRISParty Preference: Democratic

GAR MYERSParty Preference: None

PAUL MERRITTParty Preference: None

MASSIE MUNROEParty Preference: Democratic

AKINYEMI OLABODE AGBEDEParty Preference: Democratic

ELEANOR GARCIAParty Preference: None

Vote for One20th District

United StatesRepresentative

CASEY LUCIUS

National Security ProfessorParty Preference: Republican

JOE WILLIAMS

Hospital Laboratory TechnicianParty Preference: Peace and Freedom

JACK DIGBY

Ironworker/Homemaker/ArtistParty Preference: None

BARBARA HONEGGER

Investigative Journalist/AuthorParty Preference: None

JIMMY PANETTA

ProsecutorParty Preference: Democratic

California primary,

June 2016

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CA44-1-001DVOTE BOTH SIDES (2A) CA44-1-001D

DEM 1

DEM 1

DEM 1

OFFICIAL BALLOT

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016

This ballot stub shall be removed and retained by the voter

OFFICIAL BALLOT PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

DEMOCRATIC PARTY COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016

Instructions to Voters: x Use only a blue or black ballpoint pen to mark your choices.

x You must connect the head and tail of the arrow for your vote to count. You only need to draw one line.

x To vote for a qualified write-in candidate, write the person’s name on the blank line provided and connect the head and tail of the arrow.

x If you make a mistake, ask a poll worker for another ballot. If you are voting by mail, follow the instructions you received with your ballot.

Party-Nominated Offices Only voters who disclosed a preference upon registering to vote for the same party as the candidate seeking the nomination of any party for the Presidency or election to a party committee may vote for that candidate at the primary election, unless the party has adopted a rule to permit non-party voters to vote in its primary elections.

Voter-Nominated and Nonpartisan OfficesAll voters, regardless of the party preference they disclosed upon registration, or refusal to disclose a party preference, may vote for any candidate for a voter-nominated or nonpartisan office. The party preference, if any, designated by a candidate for a voter-nominated office is selected by the candidate and is shown for the information of the voters only. It does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party or that the party approves of the candidate. The party preference, if any, of a candidate for a nonpartisan office does not appear on the ballot.

United States Senator continued on next column

United States Senator contest has 35 candidates. Only vote for One

Vote for OnePresidential Preference

President of the UnitedStates

Party-Nominated Offices

KEITH JUDD

MICHAEL STEINBERG

BERNIE SANDERS

WILLIE WILSON

ROQUE DE LA FUENTE

HILLARY CLINTON

HENRY HEWES

Vote for One

United States SenatorVoter-Nominated Offices

GEORGE C. YANG

AccountantParty Preference: Republican

JERRY J. LAWSParty Preference: Republican

GAIL K. LIGHTFOOTParty Preference: Libertarian

MIKE BEITIKSParty Preference: None

PAMELA ELIZONDOParty Preference: Green

SCOTT A. VINEBERGParty Preference: None

STEVE STOKESParty Preference: Democratic

DUF SUNDHEIMParty Preference: Republican

LING LING SHIParty Preference: None

LORETTA L. SANCHEZParty Preference: Democratic

PHIL WYMANParty Preference: Republican

JARRELL WILLIAMSONParty Preference: Republican

THOMAS G. DEL BECCAROParty Preference: Republican

RON UNZParty Preference: Republican

GREG CONIONParty Preference: Republican

JASON KRAUSParty Preference: None

TIM GILDERSLEEVEParty Preference: None

CLIVE GREYParty Preference: None

DON J. GRUNDMANNParty Preference: None

PRESIDENT CRISTINA GRAPPOParty Preference: Democratic

HERBERT G. PETERSParty Preference: Democratic

TOM PALZERParty Preference: Republican

KAREN ROSEBERRYParty Preference: Republican

EMORY PERETZ RODGERSParty Preference: Democratic

DON KRAMPEParty Preference: Republican

MARK MATTHEW HERDParty Preference: Libertarian

VON HOUGOParty Preference: Republican

JASON HANANIAParty Preference: None

KAMALA D HARRISParty Preference: Democratic

GAR MYERSParty Preference: None

PAUL MERRITTParty Preference: None

MASSIE MUNROEParty Preference: Democratic

AKINYEMI OLABODE AGBEDEParty Preference: Democratic

ELEANOR GARCIAParty Preference: None

Vote for One20th District

United StatesRepresentative

CASEY LUCIUS

National Security ProfessorParty Preference: Republican

JOE WILLIAMS

Hospital Laboratory TechnicianParty Preference: Peace and Freedom

JACK DIGBY

Ironworker/Homemaker/ArtistParty Preference: None

BARBARA HONEGGER

Investigative Journalist/AuthorParty Preference: None

JIMMY PANETTA

ProsecutorParty Preference: Democratic

?!

civicdesign.org/fieldguides

30

http://civicdesign.org/fieldguides

civicdesign.org/showcase

31

http://civicdesign.org/showcase

Thank you.

Dana Chisnell

[email protected]

civicdesign.org

@danachis@ChadButterfly

mailto:[email protected]?subject=

Ballot design best practices

Design

Transcript of Ballot design best practices