don't make me read! less is more in information for voters
DESCRIPTION
A talk I gave to Washington State election officials about using plain language in voter informationTRANSCRIPT
Don’t make me read! Less is more in information for voters
Dana Chisnell@danachis@ChadButterfly
page 27
King County2004
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
Not so easy to read, find sections, or complete without making mistakes
Wait. Wha...?
PortlandMaine2011
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
People missed these instructions
Why do the top instructions have letters?
ShawneeCounty2004
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
Not ideal line length and justification.
Sections aren’t that easy to pick out
New York City2010
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
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.
MARKINGINSTRUCTIONS:INSTRUCCIONESDE MARCADO:
Correct Mark:Marca Correcta:
[Insert Chinese Translation][Insert Korean Translation]
Electors forGovernor and
LieutenantGovernor
[Spanish]
[Chinese]
[Korean]
Vote OnceVote 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 StatesSenator
[Spanish][Chinese][Korean]Vote Once
Vote una vez[Chinese][Korean]
United StatesSenator
[Spanish][Chinese][Korean]Vote Once
Vote una vez[Chinese][Korean]
Supreme CourtJustice
[Spanish][Chinese][Korean]
Vote for any FIVE[Spanish][Chinese][Korean]
Representative inCongress[Spanish][Chinese][Korean]Vote Once
Vote una vez[Chinese][Korean]
StateSenator
[Spanish][Chinese][Korean]Vote Once
Vote una vez[Chinese][Korean]
Member ofAssembly[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-INCANDIDATO 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]
Independence[Chinese][Korean]
Conservative[Chinese][Korean]
Working Families[Chinese][Korean]
Green[Chinese][Korean]
Libertarian[Chinese][Korean]
Republican[Chinese][Korean]
Independence[Chinese][Korean]
Conservative[Chinese][Korean]
Working Families[Chinese][Korean]
Libertarian[Chinese][Korean]
Freedom[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]
Tax Revolt[Chinese][Korean]
Taxpayers[Chinese][Korean]
Anti-Prohibition[Chinese][Korean]
Republican[Chinese][Korean]
Independence[Chinese][Korean]
Conservative[Chinese][Korean]
Working Families[Chinese][Korean]
Green[Chinese][Korean]
Libertarian[Chinese][Korean]
Republican[Chinese][Korean]
Independence[Chinese][Korean]
Conservative[Chinese][Korean]
Working Families[Chinese][Korean]
Conservative[Chinese][Korean]
Working Families[Chinese][Korean]
Republican[Chinese][Korean]
Working Families[Chinese][Korean]
Republican[Chinese][Korean]
Conservative[Chinese][Korean]
Working Families[Chinese][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]
Andrew M.Cuomo[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Carl P.Paladino
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Andrew M.Cuomo[Chinese][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]
HarryWilson[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
HarryWilson[Chinese][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]
Kristen E.Gillibrand
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Joseph J.DioGuardi
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Kristen E.Gillibrand
[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]
Henry J.Nowak[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Paul B.Wojtaszek
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Cathrine NugentPanepinto
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Jeffrey F.Voelkl
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Cathrine NugentPanepinto
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Cathrine NugentPanepinto
[Chinese][Chinese][Korean][Korean]
Henry J.Nowak[Chinese][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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Worst. Instructions. Ever.
How many votes do I get for governor?
California 2012
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
Instructions that are not instructions...
Problems are well understood
too much text ignored
hidden steps miss important items
jargon and unfamiliar words misinterpret meaning
instructions in the wrong place make mistakes
passive voice = ambiguity guess what to do
Poor design and instructions on ballots makeunderstanding, marking, and casting difficult, time-consuming, and complicated
Poor design and instructions on ballots makecounting, canvassing, and audits difficult, time-consuming, and complicated
Don’t make me read!
43% of American adults have reading disabilities
Rushed
Distracted
Tired
Stressed
Unfamiliar
Inexperienced
Uneducated
Other sources of temporary disability
California 2012
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
find instructions?read easily?
Yelling!
find instructions?read easily?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
Voter-nominated and nonpartisan offices
All 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.
No. 04: Write short sentences.
No. 06: Use active voice.
No. 09: Short paragraphs.
No. 05: Use simple words. 101 words
No. 04: Write short sentences.
No. 06: Use active voice.
No. 09: Short paragraphs.
No. 05: Use simple words.Voter-nominated and nonpartisan offices
All 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.
Voter-nominated and nonpartisan offices
All voters may vote for any candidate for a voter-nominated or nonpartisan office.
Voter-nominated and nonpartisan offices
All voters may vote for any candidate for a voter-nominated or nonpartisan office.
If the candidate has a preferred political party, the party name appears on the ballot for information only. It does not mean that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party or that the party approves of the candidate.
Candidates for nonpartisan offices do not show party preferences.
67 words
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
Other examples
This is Your Secrecy EnvelopeInstructions to Vote Your Ballot: 1. Mark your ballot and enclose it in this Secrecy Envelope. You are not required to use this or any Secrecy Envelope for your ballot.
2. Place this Secrecy Envelope containing your ballot in the colored Official Ballot Envelope. Do not enclose your ballot and someone else’s in the same colored Official Ballot Envelope. Every voter has the right to vote his or her ballot in secret.
3. Sign your name at the X on the back of the outer colored Official Ballot Envelope. Envelopes that are unsigned cannot be counted.
4. Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day to be counted. Ballots not mailed must be delivered to a Ballot-Drop Location prior to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Are they really steps in a procedure?
Wait! What if I decided I didn’t want to use the secrecy envelope?
What are the most important things?
How would you make this a real step?
This is Your Secrecy EnvelopeHow to vote 1. Mark your ballot.
2. Put it in this Secrecy Envelope. You do not have to use this or any Secrecy Envelope for your ballot.
3. Put the Secrecy Envelope in the colored Official Ballot Envelope.
Or, just put your ballot in the Official Ballot Envelope.
Do not put anything but your ballot in the colored Official Ballot Envelope.
4. Sign your name at the X on the back of the outer colored Official Ballot Envelope. Envelopes that are unsigned cannot be counted.
5. Mail your ballot. It must be postmarked no later than Election Day to be counted.
Or, take your ballot to a Ballot-Drop Location before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Voter ed
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
Other forms
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
Other forms
read easily?navigate?identify sections?find instructions?
understand instructions?follow instructions easily?complete without mistakes?
2005
Proposed
Can voters... read all of the information easily?
navigate through the form to find everything they need?
identify the different sections of the ballot or form?
find, read, and follow instructions accurately?
Use lowercase letters
Avoid centered type
Use big enough type
Pick one sans serif font
Support process and navigation
Use clear, simple language
Use accurate instructional illustrations
Use informational icons (only)
Use contrast and color to support meaning
Show what’s most important
Designing usable ballots
Can voters... understand what each instruction means?
follow instructions easily?
complete the ballot without making mistakes?
respond appropriately to error messages?
At the beginning of the ballot explain how to vote
Put instructions where voters need them
Include information that will prevent voters from making errors
Write short sentences
Use short, simple, everyday words
Write in active voice, with the person doing comes before the verb
Write in the positive
When giving instructions that are more than one step, use a numbered list
Keep paragraphs short
Separate paragraphs by a space
Writing instructions voters understand
New tools.
Research commissioned by NIST
SOP and Usability and Civic Life Project
Research commissioned by NIST
Research commissioned by EAC
Field Guides series
Written and designed for you
Published by 300+ people who say
thank you for being amazing
Research funded by Kickstarter and MacArthur Foundation
Research funded by Kickstarter and MacArthur Foundation
Coming soon
Communicating with voters
Designing voter ed booklets & flyers
Designing election department websites
Research funded by Kickstarter and MacArthur Foundation
Guiding voters through the polling place
Research funded by Kickstarter and MacArthur Foundation
Field Guides To Ensuring Voter Intent
civicdesigning.org/fieldguides
Thank you.