OpenIDEO - How might we design an accessible election experience for everyone? - Inspiration - US Presidential Election: as a Voter, & Campaign Volunteer

From the campaign perspective, I was impressed by how a little nudging (making sure someone knew where to vote, how to vote, and expressed their preference & desire to vote) could make a significant impact on whether they actually ended up successfully voting or not. So what we do on this challenge can really make a difference!

As a voter, I personally find the voter registration process, which usually has to be done a bit before voting day, inconvenient, especially if you're someone who moves frequently. Ideally, I wish registration/voting was just one step that could be done all at once, though I understand the logistical/security complications.

In fact, I was shocked at the lax security when I actually voted. I had brought along someone who was the citizen of a foreign non-democratic country, just so they could have a glimpse of the US election process. Imagine my surprise, when the polling station workers checked my identification & registration status, handed me a ballot, then mistakenly handed my companion (who wasn't even in line) a ballot as well. In a sense, voting was too accessible here! Of course, we corrected their mistake, but that definitely decreased my faith in the system. As we address accessibility, we must also keep in mind other important election system objectives like ensuring a secure system that people have trust in.

Mission #1 Share Your Election Story

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Campbell Frey

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January 31, 2012, 02:03AM

This a great, simple story that pinpoints a serious problem. In particular it makes me cautious of the potential in using online or electronic forms of voting. What does your own story tell you about voting with a printed/manufactured ballot versus an electronic one?

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Vincent Cheng's reply to Campbell Frey's comment

Vincent Cheng

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January 31, 2012, 02:17AM

Thanks Campbell. Agreed about the importance of security, and thus the caution that must be employed when exploring new solutions (and in evaluating current implementations). But, an electric ballot isn't necessarily less secure than a physical one (which as my story demonstrates, has its own security issues).

Yes, if a digital system is implemented improperly, there's certainly potential for widespread fraud at a level unlikely to occur for a more granular physical system. However, I think smart design can close up many of the loopholes, perhaps including such measures as a backup physical paper trail audit. Certainly something to explore for the concepting phase of this challenge.

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