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The Challenge

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How might we design an accessible election experience for everyone? Read the challenge brief

Concept

Mobile numbers as unique ID users

Mobiles could solve the 3 central “pains” of the challenge: (1) security, (2) convenience, (3) simplicity; but instead of using mobiles as polling tools, I would think of them as a unique ID user –after a rigorous validation process of course.
Using a “one-to-one” association, every citizen would have his SSN associated to his unique cell number. During the elections day, the voter texts via SMS the short code related to his candidate to a well-diffused easy number (such as 911).

How will this concept improve election accessibility for everyone?

Accessibility is improved because mobiles can be accessed anytime, anywhere, by almost anyone. And in the near future every citizen will have his own mobile, even in the poorest countries and remotest villages. For instance, a developing country such as Peru has 30 million people and 30 million mobile lines.

How well does this concept adapt to the changing needs of different voter communities?

Since there’s no need to have the latest smartphone in order to send a text message, this concept could work either in Palo Alto, California or in Gangotri, India. Instead of downloading and learning how to use an app, a single text message could be sent by an old-fashioned person using a feature phone with a prepaid line, which makes the whole idea much more accessible.

What kinds of resources – whether time, money, people, partnerships, technology or otherwise – will be needed to get this concept off the ground?

This concept could be game-changing if it's properly designed, especially for non-developed societies, but the critical issue is the previous validation process including the one-to-one association. Other important requirements are partnerships with key telecom players, as well as a wisely massive education, that could be done precisely using the same phones.

Comments

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March 13, 2012, 04:39PM
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March 01, 2012, 05:55PM
Interesting, Hernan! One thing you might want to check out is our Personas for Concepts tip sheet. It's a helpful outline of the kinds of accessibility needs we're designing for in this challenge: http://bit.ly/vote_personas. Perhaps you'll be inspired by one or more of the personas and have a think about how your concept could be further extended to meet their needs? We're looking forward to seeing discussions flourish here and your ideas evolve. You can make updates to your entry at any time using the Update Entry button up there on the right.
February 21, 2012, 09:10PM
Hi Hernán, I really like this idea! I've worked in very poor, rural areas in Asia and actually almost everyone can get access to a mobile phone. A few issues I thought of:
 - Would have to work with mobile companies to ensure the service is free
 - Include a function where you can review your vote, before sending? (so easy to type a wrong number)
 - As Paul commented, would work really well for simple 'first past the post' elections. More complicated systems such as Australia's preferential system could maybe be accommodated by a voting app on smartphones - but this would probably restrict coverage in less developed contexts.

Looking forward to seeing how this concept progresses!
February 21, 2012, 04:15PM
Great concept with distinct potential, Hernán!
You mention a one-to-one correspondence between cell phone number and SSN (presumably Social Security Number).
In Australia this SSN would have to become a pin or number of the voters choice since we have no consistent number that applies to everyone.
The voting method SMS would be well suited to 'first past the post' elections, and warrants adoption in those circumstances.
Do you have any suggestions for referendum type polls or preferential voting?
Hernán Carranza's reply to An Old Friend's comment
February 21, 2012, 05:40PM
Thanks for your post Paul !
In Peru we have a unique ID for each voter (the DNI number or National Document of Identity); however I guess every country should assign a unique number to each voter before starting to redesign their electoral process.
About your second question, in case of referendum same method would apply: assigning a code for each YES and a code for NO.
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