OpenIDEO - How might we design an accessible election experience for everyone? - Concepting

The Challenge

775 followers

How might we design an accessible election experience for everyone?

Inspiration 436 inspirations

Concepting 154 concepts

Applause 154 final concepts

Refinement 20 final concepts

Evaluation 20 final concepts

Winning Concepts Announced!

previous

37 of 154 concepts

next

Concept
back to list

Celebrating Elections --> UPDATED

Let's experience elections as a public celebration in every community, just like New Years Eve!

Elections do not have to be so boring! We can turn it into a public event where people gather and celebrate the new government, with respect to each other's ideas - Just like watching a football match or celebrating New Years Eve in the main square of the community.

There are different ways to encourage voting through collaboration:

1. Having a public screen

As people vote, tallying the different parties would make the information more transparent and create curiosity in public. While the party names are not displayed, a scenario where two parties are neck and neck would show a citizen that his/her vote will change the result, and motivate for voting.

Counting up the votes instantly would display how many people have already voted so far, how many people vote in one minute, or what % of people voted throughout the country, city or the community.

Call your neighbor would display how many people have already voted so far, how many people

2. Helping with the transportation

School buses can make round trips in the neighborhood from/to the fair. This would motivate old or handicapped people come to the fair.

The concept can also be combined with Ramanand's Votepools concept where neighbors help each other out with accessing the events.

3. Giving a voting sequence number

The local bank can provide the event with its 'sequence number' method where people come, pick a number, and do not wait in a line until their number comes. This would turn the waiting into a valuable time spent in the fair.

4. Having a children's corner

Creating a children's corner would make not only adults, also children be involved in voting. They could learn to vote for their class leader, head of their student community, etc. Parents can leave their kids with a teacher in this safe spot when they are busy with voting.

5. Enriching community interaction

Local artists can display their work in an exhibition, local bands can play their music, people can cook and sell food. Neighborhood picnics and state fair like events can be organized.

Getting to meet the local firefighter department, police, school, or other organizations would help build up better community relations.

How will this concept improve election accessibility for everyone?

The concept does not directly improve the election accessibility. However, keeping the events in the local community can make it a 'walking distance' to get together with the neighbors and vote for their leader. At the same time, buses and shared cars help everyone access the event.

My Virtual Team

Ashley Jablow · Jaime English · Ramanand J · Darren McNally · Vincent Cheng · Patrick Bergemann · Louise Wilson · Mamta Gautam

Comments

Join the conversation and post a comment.

Rondelle Besson

delete comment

March 14, 2012, 01:58PM

So would this be similar to Straw Polls found in Iowa?

0 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

March 14, 2012, 04:07PM

Hi Rondelle, the names of the candidates do not appear even if the number of votes are counted up. Is that what you were wondering?

0 Applaud Report this comment

Jake McGill

delete comment

March 14, 2012, 02:08PM

This idea is brilliant. It changes the voting experience completely. Not only does it make the voting experience more enjoyable, the real time voting count will inspire people to get others to vote as well. It will be a more positive environment and also competitive, similar to watch a football game in a bar. This voting fair can last a few days until the actual voting day, so more people will be able to attend.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Daniel Castro

delete comment

March 06, 2012, 08:02AM

I'm really enjoying seeing the energy around this concept! Have you thought about how to incorporate the votes of people who must vote absentee, such as those who have difficulty leaving the home, may be out of town, live overseas or find crowds intimidating? In particular, I'm wondering how you would incorporate this into your vote totals. At the beginning? At the end?

You may also want to consider reporting turnout rather than election results. Some countries prohibit reporting results (and even exit polling) until polls are closed. The concern is that there will be media-induced voter suppression where people don't vote because of what they hear on TV. For example, voter's might decide not to vote because they think their candidate will win (or that their candidate is definitely going to lose).

2 Applaud Report this comment

Anne-Laure Fayard's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Anne-Laure Fayard

delete comment

March 08, 2012, 02:09AM

I agree with you Daniel. It's nice to see the lively conversation and energy around this concept.
Thanks also for the clarification regarding reporting results. For Cansu's purposes, reporting the turnout rather than election will work. However, I was wondering is it possible to start counting if you don't report them officially. That could help bottle necks and reducing chances of errors - see the conversation on another concept http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/concepting/the-election-festival/ and Louise's comment. Yet I can see why it cannot be officially reported. thanks.

0 Applaud Report this comment

Anne-Laure Fayard

delete comment

March 08, 2012, 02:06AM

Very nice concept and a lively conversation around it.

I can see it nicely integrated with the election festival concept: http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/concepting/the-election-festival/
The election festival is focusing on offering more time to people to vote, and thus making voting more accessible (more time for individual voting, more options, reducing lines and bottle necks) but it could be reinforced or accompanied with community events.

0 Applaud Report this comment

Darren McNally

delete comment

March 06, 2012, 06:33AM

This is fantastic! I'd love to see this as an annual celebration of neighborhood, taking place even when there is no election being held. In the US we have a holiday right around election time, Veteran's Day. How great would it be if every year, people took a day off to celebrate their communities, and then every other year took ownership by voting?!

0 Applaud Report this comment

Louise Wilson

delete comment

February 22, 2012, 11:03AM

Completely agree with transparency!

http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/inspiration/use-colour-and-transparency/

(and I love your illustration!)

2 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

February 22, 2012, 11:36PM

Thanks a lot! Great inspiration there.

0 Applaud Report this comment

Mamta Gautam's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Mamta Gautam

delete comment

March 04, 2012, 06:12PM

Hey Cansu, i like the idea of having a children corner, is a simple and effective idea. I don't know if its such a issue in American context , in India it would be very effective and moms can vote hassle free. The same was brought up by one of my interviewee Manjula .http://www.openideo.com/open/voting/inspiration/interview-with-my-cheerful-maid-manjula-/ .
So what could we provide for kids, small dedicated corner for all the kids to get together and make friends, but young kids would need a caretaker !

2 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

March 04, 2012, 07:19PM

Great, that the idea is supported by your inspiration:) Inside the corner, the best would be to have a small 'children's voting' section where they also practice voting for the head of their class, cheerleader, football team captain, etc.

I was also a bit worried about the American context, but if this is held within the neighborhood and teachers take care of the kids, then should be fine. We can also be inspired by some completely isolated safe children's playgrounds, usually places in shopping malls: http://bit.ly/Aqrbs6

1 Applaud Report this comment

Jaime English

delete comment

February 21, 2012, 04:45AM

Seeing people in your community all together taking the time to vote, when it is truly a physical community event and celebration makes the value and importance of voting more personal and less abstract. An understanding that your vote could impact you and all the people around you. That's a powerful concept to understand.

A New Years eve type party might be intimidating to certain citizens of varying disabilities, the hard of hearing don't like all the noise for example. Parents might need to bring their kids along. What if the concept of a celebration included it being a day where of picnics and state fair like events with various activities that allow for community interaction. Community theater does a play, local artists do a show, Representatives of local public service agencies are available to meet and greet and answer questions ie. fire truck and firefighters, water service providers, local grange representatives etc...

Social media can come into play as well.

2 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

February 21, 2012, 09:41AM

Hello Jaime, great point! Picnic is a great idea, and yes, it should appeal to all people.

When I think of some city celebrations or parties, at least in my city, it makes some young people move from their neighborhood to the main square and create a big crowd. However, the voting event can encourage people to stay in their own neighborhood, vote there and interact with their neighbors. This kind of a local event can be accessible by people with obstacles, old and young people.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Ashley Jablow's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Ashley Jablow

delete comment

February 21, 2012, 07:28PM

Great build Jaime! Here's another thought: what if this community celebration and togetherness could be nurtured throughout the election process, not just around the results? For instance, we saw some inspirations about people carpooling to their polling station. Might there be ways to help connect community members of different abilities and needs so that *everyone* can participate in the entire election experience?

1 Applaud Report this comment

Ashley Jablow's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Ashley Jablow

delete comment

February 21, 2012, 07:40PM

In fact, I just realized that Ramanand has had a similar idea http://bit.ly/y0Cz9i – perhaps you'll want to build on his for your next concept! :)

0 Applaud Report this comment

Ramanand J's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Ramanand J

delete comment

February 22, 2012, 04:18AM

Ashley, Jaime: good points. I especially like the idea about turning it into a community interaction day. In India, the authorities have tried things such as giving people a holiday the day of the elections, but sometimes find people leaving town for vacation :) So on most occasions, we have these on working days, thus making it harder for people to spend too much time around elections. However, there is immense interest during the day, which gets reflected in water-cooler talk, social networks, and neighbourly chat. Someway to harness this, to involve families and perhaps even help teach kids what elections are about would be immensely beneficial.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

February 22, 2012, 11:29PM

Hello! I am becoming more and more convinced about creating a fun celebrating event to attract people to participate and vote at the same time! I am a bit worried about leaving out people who really have to stay home:S May be we can not solve all the problems with a single solution:)

0 Applaud Report this comment

Darren McNally's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Darren McNally

delete comment

February 29, 2012, 08:06PM

If the election is a celebration of public life, then why not use public resources to bring people out? Police and FIrefighters could pick people up, school buses could run special routes (especially if it is a holiday or weekend), and regular public transit could be free.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

March 01, 2012, 03:10PM

Hi Darren thank you for the input! I was thinking that the events would ve at a walking distance. Since I do not live in USA, I do not know if such community events, state fairs are usually far.. are they?

0 Applaud Report this comment

Darren McNally's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Darren McNally

delete comment

March 01, 2012, 09:57PM

Most community events in the US are usually driving affairs, I live in California, the state fair is about 2 hours away, by car. Even the county fair is about 45 mins away by car. The most accessible public space for most people is a school, which is usually walkable, unless people live in a very rural area.

0 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

March 02, 2012, 08:09AM

How about the voting places? Are they held more locally? I guess it is better to have a couple of fairs in the state, rather than everyone living in the state gathering in a single fair. The voting event could be similar to a state fair, but it would be much smaller in each community.

0 Applaud Report this comment

Ramanand J

delete comment

February 22, 2012, 04:21AM

Cansu: In India, instant counting is disallowed to avoid early trends from influencing voter choice. That said, I think it would be a great idea if at least count the no. of votes cast so far, and provide an effective way to broadcast that. In India, we only get the %age vote cast at the end of the day. Having that during the day may help push people to step out.

3 Applaud Report this comment

Jaime English's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Jaime English

delete comment

February 22, 2012, 05:18PM

Love the idea of tallying the number of votes cast! That deals with one of the challenges of bringing a sense of unity to what is usually in the USA, a very politically divided day.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

February 22, 2012, 11:35PM

Ramanand I was also worried about instant counting of each party, but the party names do not have to be displayed. Imagine if you see that two parties are close, and you know that your vote can change things, then you would go there and vote! Showing the %is also a good idea..Then we can say '68% of the city voted already, how about you?'
Thanks Jaime, creative ways to visualize these votes would really help voters understand how they have an impact on the overall process.

2 Applaud Report this comment

Ramanand J's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Ramanand J

delete comment

February 23, 2012, 04:13AM

Yup - anonymous trends could probably work. And totally agree about creative visualizations to amplify individual impact.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Vincent Cheng's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Vincent Cheng

delete comment

February 27, 2012, 01:48AM

Loving the bouncing off of each other's thoughts to develop these visualization ideas. Like where this is heading ;)

0 Applaud Report this comment

Patrick Bergemann's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Patrick Bergemann

delete comment

February 27, 2012, 08:15AM

A lot of psychology research backs up the idea that discovering that many other people are doing something is a great persuader towards action. I think this is a great application of that. I wonder about showing percentages versus absolute numbers, though. If percentages tend to be low in elections, then seeing that 4,000 people already voted in your community might be more persuasive than seeing 40%.

3 Applaud Report this comment

Ramanand J's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Ramanand J

delete comment

February 27, 2012, 08:17AM

That makes a lot of sense, Patrick.

0 Applaud Report this comment

Cansu Akarsu's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Cansu Akarsu

delete comment

March 01, 2012, 03:08PM

Yes Partick, so it is for sure not good to display the percentage! How about '283910' people are left? May be that's also a bad idea?

0 Applaud Report this comment

Patrick Bergemann's reply to Rondelle Besson's comment

Patrick Bergemann

delete comment

March 02, 2012, 07:11AM

I think displaying the number of people who have already voted is probably best - seeing that 1,000 people have voted sounds like a lot, even if the municipality has a population of 10,000. Kind of like how the government spending a billion dollars on something sounds like an enormous amount of money, even if it's really only a small fraction of the overall budget. As long as the absolute number feels high, people will probably feel social pressure to vote themselves.

0 Applaud Report this comment