The document describes a partnership between AIGA Design for Democracy, local elections officials in Chelan County, Washington, and a ballot design vendor. The goal was to redesign Hart precinct ballots based on best practices to improve voter experience and ballot design consistency. Jenny Greeve, the 2009-2011 Washington State Election Design Fellow, facilitated the project. The redesigned ballots standardized formatting and removed unnecessary instructions to make voting easier. The partnership approach allowed elections officials, designers, and vendors to collaborate to produce ballots that better served voters.

1. AIGA Design for Democracy
in Washington State
Jenny Greeve
Washington State Election Design Fellow, 2009-2011

2. Session takeaways
Why does design matter in elections?
What’s it like to have a professional designer work
with local elections officials?
What can a partnership like this achieve?

3. AIGA Design for Democracy
Design for Democracy
designers, researchers, policy-makers & elections officials
collaborating to improve elections materials & establish / maintain
design standards for elections materials
> increased recognition after the infamous “butterfly ballot”
> known for “top 10 election design guidelines”
Election Design Fellows
communication designers working at the state-level
on the design of election materials

4. Design & elections
Local elections
officials want
civic engagement
trust in elections
! Communication
designers deliver
risk prevention
print / web design
accuracy
copywriting
efficiency
Local elections usability testing
effectiveness
officials must prevent user experience
Florida, 2000: butterfly ballot
Minnesota, 2008:
complicated ballot envelopes
Washington, 2009:
ballot with race below instructions

5. Evidence-based design
TOP
1. Use lowercase letters: Mixed-case letters are more legible than
TEN
ALL CAPITAL LETTERS because they are easier to recognize.
2. Avoid centered type: Left-aligned type is more legible than centered type,
which forces the eye to stop reading in order to find the start of the next line.
election
3. Use big enough type: “Fine print” is hard to read and may intimidate or
alienate voters. Use minimum type sizes: 12-point for optical scan; 25-point for
touchscreens. (Following this principle for optical scan ballots may impact printing
design costs but will be a worthwhile investment in election accuracy.)
4. Pick one sans-serif font: Avoid introducing new fonts, which require
the eye to stop reading and adjust. Sans-serif fonts with clean strokes
(Arial, Univers, Verdana) are recommended for screen and for the quantity
and variation of text found on paper ballots. For dual-language materials,
use bold text for the primary language, regular text for the secondary language.
5. Support process and navigation: For optical-scan ballots, offer
comprehensive instructions and page numbering. For touchscreen ballots,
offer language and mode options, continuous access to instructions, consistent
and flexible navigation and clear feedback about selections. Post notable Introduction
1.1
wayfinding and instructional materials in and around the polling place.
6. Use clear, simple language: State instructions and options as simply as
possible. Summarize referenda in simple language alongside required formats.Effective Designs for the
Do not include more than two languages on any one material.
Administration of Federal Elections
7. Use accurate instructional illustrations: Visual instructions help
low-literacy and general-population voters. Photo images, which are difficult to
Section 1: Introduction
shoot and reproduce well, are not recommended. Illustrations must be accurate
in their details to avoid misleading voters.
June 2007
8. Use informational icons (only): Avoid political party icons. Icons that call
attention to key information and support navigation are recommended in limited use.
9. Use contrast and color functionally: On optical scan ballots, to differentiate
instructions from contents and contests from each other; and on touchscreen
ballots, to support navigation, call special attention and provide user feedback.
Color cannot be relied on as the only way to communicate important information.
10. Decide what’s most important: Page and screen layout and
text sizes should support information hierarchy. For instance, the ballot title
should be more prominent than any one contest, a contest header should be
more prominent than its candidates’ names and a candidate’s name should
be bolder than his/her party affiliation. Candidates’ names and options should be
presented with equal importance.
Pop quiz: how many of the Top 10 Election Design Best Practices are
being violated in the graphic / type treatment at left? Subversive quiz question:
in this instance, does it matter that we’re violating the Top 10?
U.S. Election Assistance Commission

6. Fellowship in Washington State
39 autonomous counties with
independently-elected officials
All vote-by-mail state
2 years, 40+ design projects
Statewide & county-specific projects

7. Fellowship guiding principles
Mission Tools
facilitate civic engagement > understanding
through design > creativity
> testing
Audience
> research
via LEOs: voters &
potential voters > analysis
> education
Skills
> diplomacy Mantras
> persuasion > design is not an afterthought
> professionalism > design matters
> evidence

8. MINI CASE STUDY:
Voter registration form redesign
Reasons for redesign
> improve usability to gather accurate, complete information
> new statute requirements
> major administrative shift: will mail directly to county
Process
> statewide workgroup 10+ elections officials
> 5 rounds / design
> 2 rounds / usability
Constraints
> not 100% buy-in on need for redesign
> complicated language & statute requirements

9. MINI CASE STUDY:
Voter registration form redesign
moisten glue strip above and fold over to seal
instructions Washington State Voter Registration Form
register online at www.vote.wa.gov
You must be a United States
citizen to register to vote. qualifications
first person to
MOISTEN AND FOLD OVER TO SEAL
if you mark no to either of these questions, do not complete this form
Mail-In Voter Registration Form how to register to vote
or update a registration
I am a citizen of the United States of America. yes no
Use Black or Blue Pen Only - Please Print Clearly
1 NOTE: Voter registration requires U.S. Citizenship
NAME CHANGE ADDRESS CHANGE
Please print all information
SIGNATURE UPDATE NEW REGISTRATION
clearly using black or blue pen.
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
I will be at least 18 years old by the next election.
personal information
yes no
engage registrants
Will you be at least 18 years of age or older before Election Day? YES Mail or deliver this form to
NO
Are you a citizen of the United States? YES NO your County Elections Office. last name first name middle
Federal and state law require you to provide your Washington Driver’s License number or Washington ID Card number.
Addresses are on reverse.
If you do not have a Washington Driver’s License or Washington ID Card, provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
male female
2 A. Washington Driver’s License or ID Number B. Last four Digits/SSN Check here if you do not
3 Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
for more information
have a Washington Driver’s date of birth (mm / dd / yyyy) phone number *
License, ID Card, or SSN.
4 Last Name Male www.vote.wa.gov
onlineDaytime Phone Number
Female ( ) residential address (in Washington)
call 1-800-448-4881
5 First Name Middle Name Jr. Email Address (optional)
Sr.
visit your County Elections Office city zip
6 Washington Residential/Physical Address (Required) City or Town ZIP
This registration will be in effect
7 Address Where You Get Your Mail (if different from residential/physical address) City or Town the next election if postmarked
for State ZIP mailing address (if different than residential address)
or delivered no later than
8 Check any that currently apply Military Domestic Military Foreign National Guard/Reserves U.S. Citizen Overseas
the Monday four weeks before city state / zip
9 ONGOING ABSENTEE REQUEST NOTE: If your county is vote by mail, do not complete this section. A ballotDay. mailed to you automatically.
Election will be
I would like to receive absentee ballots for all future elections YES NO
fold here
fold here
If you miss this deadline, email address*
please contact your County
5 sections of similar
FOLD HERE I am in the Armed Forces (includes National Guard and Reserves)
Elections Office. I am a U.S. citizen living outside the U.S.
10 NOTE: Previous registration information
I was previously registered under this name and address: You will receive your ballot Washington driver’s license / state ID #
types of information
Sign as previously registered
Name by mail. Contact your County
Address County Elections Office for in-person
City State ZIP
voting options.
if you do not have a Washington driver’s license or state ID card,
WARNING: If you knowingly provide false information on this voter registration form or knowingly make a false declaration about your
If you knowingly provide false
qualifications for voter registration, you will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, or by a fine provide the last four digits of your Social Security number
of up to ten thousand dollars or both imprisonment and fine. (RCW 29A.08.210)
information on this voter
11 Voter Declaration xx x-x x-
registration form or knowingly
By signing this document, I hereby assert, under penalty of perjury, that I am legally eligible to vote. If I am found to have voted illegally, I may
be prosecuted and/or fined for this illegal act. In addition, I hereby acknowledge that my name make known address will be forwarded to the
and last a false declaration about oath
appropriate state and/or federal authorities if I am found to have voted illegally. (RCW 29A.08.210) your qualifications for voter
• I declare that the facts on this registration form are true; I declare that the facts on this voter registration form are true. I am a citizen of the
• I am a citizen of the United States;
registration you will have
committed a class C felony that United States, I am not presently denied the right to vote as a result of being convicted
• I am not presently denied my civil rights as a result of being convicted of a felony;
• I will have lived in Washington state at this address for thirty days immediately before the nextis punishable by imprisonment
election at which I vote; of a felony, I will have lived in Washington at this address for thirty days immediately
• I will be at least eighteen years old when I vote. before the next election at which I vote, and I will be at least 18 years old when I vote.
(RCW 29A.08.230) for up to 5 years, a fine of up
SIGN OR MARK IN THE BOX
to $10,000, or both.
sign date
Your name, address, gender and here here
12 If you are physically unable to sign NAME
your name, please have the person
date of birth are public information.
DATE SIGNED
who assisted you in completing this ADDRESS Month/Day/Year
form provide: *optional information MI 3/07
former registration
if you are already registered and are changing your name or address, fill out this section
(this information will be used to update your registration)
former last name first name middle
09/2009
former residential address city state / zip

10. MINI CASE STUDY:
Chelan County ballot packet
Reasons for redesign
> improve usability for voter
> major administrative shift: no “flap” covering signature
Process
> started with clean slate
> multiple design variations up front
> informal prototyping
Constraints
> complicated language & statute requirements

11. MINI CASE STUDY:
Chelan County ballot packet
Secrecy Envelope
Seal your completed ballot
in this envelope.
Place this envelope in the
Return Envelope and follow
the numbered steps.
POSTAGE
REQUIRED
plain language,
simple instructions Return Envelope
SKIP MOORE
CHELAN COUNTY AUDITOR
P BOX 4760
.O.
WENATCHEE, WA 98807-4760
Address Service Requested
1 Read the oath If you cannot sign
I do solemnly swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that I am: Try to sign or mark in the “signature of voter” area in the presence
Your A citizen of the United States; A legal resident of the state of Washington; of two witnesses. The two witnesses should then sign below.
At least 18 years old on election day; Voting only once in this election;
Official Ballot Not ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction; and Not disqualified from
voting due to a court order.
It is illegal to forge a signature or cast another person’s ballot.
Attempting to vote when not qualified, attempting to vote more than witness 1 signature above witness 2 signature above
once, or falsely signing this oath is a felony punishable by a maximum
imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.
2 Sign & date
1, 2, 3
visually linked & you’re done!
signature of voter above
by color, layout,
date above
typography
phone number above (optional, in case there is an issue with your signature)
3 Postmark or deposit your ballot by 8pm on election day.

12. Session takeaway review
Yes, design matters in elections!
A design professional working with local elections officials
allows each to do their best work and do right by the voter
A partnership can assist us in achieving civic engagement,
trust in the system & accurate, efficient elections

13. Hart ballot design project
Jenny Greeve
Washington State Election Design Fellow, 2009-2011

14. Session takeaways
Why ballot design?
What’s it like for local elections officials,
design professionals & vendor to partner?
What was achieved?

15. Why ballot design?
It’s at the heart of elections!
General Election 2009: undervote in King County
blamed on ballot design
Jenny’s self-proclaimed“Year of the Ballot”
Establish consistency based on best practices
Empower local elections officials

16. Pre-project Hart ballots

17. Project logistics
Instructions Statewide
Instructions
How to vote
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militat usaest, sum aditemo militat usaest, sum aditemo
luptustia que volorep editati Harrison Ford READ: Each candidate for luptustia que volorep editati Harrison Ford
umendem volorror molore
Guy Ritchie
partisan office may state umendem volorror molore
Guy Ritchie
doluptate labo. Ut quiatus doluptate labo. Ut quiatus
a political party that he or
dem que illest, sam, ut inver- Madonna Completely fill in the box dem que illest, sam, ut inver- Madonna
uptatur, consequid ut es vollor she prefers. A candidate’s to the left of your choice. uptatur, consequid ut es vollor
volorror molore. Linda Ronstadt Completely fill in the box preference does not imply Vote for one in each race. volorror molore. Linda Ronstadt
to the left of your choice. that the candidate is If you vote for more than
Yes one, no votes will be Yes
Vote for one in each race. nominated or endorsed by
+ =
counted for that race.
No the party, or that the party No
If you vote for more than approves of or associates If you make a
Julie Andrews one, no votes will be with that candidate. mistake Julie Andrews
Tiatenimus sum ipit eos Van Halen
counted for that race. Candidate 1
Tiatenimus sum ipit eos Van Halen
Candidate 2
militat usaest, sum aditemo militat usaest, sum aditemo
If you make a
Candidate 3
luptustia que volorep editati luptustia que volorep editati
Draw a line through the
umendem volorror molore do-
mistake entire measure response
umendem volorror molore do-
luptate labo. Ut inveruptatur, Continue voting or candidate’s name.
luptate labo. Ut inveruptatur,
consequid ut es vollor volorror consequid ut es vollor volorror
molore. Liz Lemon
Candidate 1 next side Then you may make molore. Liz Lemon
Candidate 2 another choice.
Tiatenimus sum ipit eos Tiatenimus sum ipit eos
Jack Donaghy Jack Donaghy
militat usaest, sum aditemo Candidate 3
Optional write-in militat usaest, sum aditemo
luptustia que volorep editati Frank the Tank luptustia que volorep editati Frank the Tank
umendem volorror molore
Ben Harper
Draw a line through the or write-in
umendem volorror molore
Ben Harper
doluptate labo.
entire measure response Precinct Committee Officer doluptate labo.
Yes
Dave Matthews
or candidate’s name. is a position in each major To vote for a candidate Yes
Dave Matthews
Elliott Nolan political party. not listed for that race, Elliott Nolan
No Then you may make For this office only: If you fill in the box to the left of No
another choice. consider yourself a Democrat
“or write-in” and print the
name on the dashed line.
or Republican, you may vote
Mickey Mouse Optional write-in for a candidate of that party. Mickey Mouse
Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson
Donald Duck or write-in Donald Duck
Jimmy Buffett Jimmy Buffett
Minnie Mouse Minnie Mouse
Goofy Goofy
To vote for a candidate
not listed for that race,
fill in the box to the left of Continue voting
“or write-in” and print the next side
name on the dashed line.
New templates New images Better ballots,
by Hart by SOS / D4D increased options

18. Partnering with Hart
39 Washington State counties
21 Hart counties
13 Post-project: Hart counties with templates + images
21 Post-project: counties with images only

19. Features of new Hart templates
large page identifier
shading for
race information
throughout:
> different type weights
> different type sizes
> fewer lines & boxes
dashed line for
write-ins

20. Template specifics
18 total templates
10 English templates, 8 bilingual templates
8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, 8.5 x 17 11 x 17
,
2, 3, 4 column
Regular: Arial 12 & 10
Condensed: Arial 10 & 8

21. SOS / D4D image collection
Instructions Instructions Statewide
throughout:
How to vote How to vote
> shading, type sizes Continue voting
match templates next side
> plain language
Completely fill in the box Completely fill in the box
to the left of your choice. to the left of your choice. > just the basics READ: Each candidate for
partisan office may state
Vote for one in each race. Vote for one in each race.
If you vote for more than If you vote for more than > county collaboration a political party that he or
she prefers. A candidate’s
one, no votes will be counted one, no votes will be counted preference does not imply
for that race. for that race. that the candidate is
nominated or endorsed by
If you make a mistake If you make a mistake the party, or that the party
approves of or associates
Option 1 Option 1 with that candidate.
Option 2 Option 2
Option 3 Option 3
Draw a line through the Draw a line through the Precinct Committee Officer
entire measure response entire measure response is a position in each major
or candidate’s name. or candidate’s name. political party.
Then you may make another Then you may make another For this office only: If you
choice. choice. consider yourself a Democrat
or Republican, you may vote
Optional write-in Optional write-in for a candidate of that party.
or write-in write-in
To vote for a candidate not To vote for a candidate not
listed for that race, fill in the listed for that race, fill in the box
box to the left of “or write-in” to the left of “write-in” and print
and print the name on the the name on the dashed line.
dashed line.
Start voting here

22. Image specifics
38 different instruction images
2, 3, 4 column
different treatments for “write-in”
specific layout for when races appear below instructions
ballot section dividers, miscellaneous images,
election-specific images

23. Ballot design guide
1.2 Hart Ballot Design Guide
Summer 2010
Hart templates
Regular v. condensed templates 1.3
Regular v. condensed templates
Hart Ballot
Design Guide
The difference between regular & condensed templates is the type size of Arial used
throughout the ballot.
Regular template
Regular templates feature type sizes recommended by existing research
for maximum legibility. 10 point
Condensed templates, which feature smaller type sizes, are provided as a • Proposition text
“last resort” when you are in a long ballot situation. • Specific race information
(excluding race title)
Regular or condensed?
• Specific race instructions Summer 2010, V.1
• Party preference
While not always possible, attempt to use a regular template before using
12 point
a condensed template.
• Everything else
Jenny Greeve
Because condensed templates use 8 point Arial, your voters with low vision may
have problems reading their ballot. AIGA / D4D Washington State Design Fellow
Hart InterCivic
Washington State Hart Counties
Washington Secretary of State
Elections Division
2.22 Hart Ballot Design Guide
Summer 2010 HAVA
Instruction images
3 & 4 column | regular | no race below & race below 2.23
3 & 4 column 3 & 4 column 3 & 4 column 3 & 4 column 3 & 4 column 3 & 4 column
regular regular regular regular regular regular
“or write-in” Condensed template
“write-in” blank “write-in” “or write-in” “write-in” blank “write-in”
3col_1.bmp 8 point 3col_2.bmp 3col_3.bmp 3col_4.bmp 3col_5.bmp 3col_6.bmp
• Proposition text
• Specific race information
Visit section 5 to see King County’s decision-making matrix. A visual guide used (excluding race title)
by their ballot designers for each election to manage difficult questions such as what size • Specific race instructions
Instructions Instructions Instructions Instructions Instructions Instructions
ballot to select, whether to place races below the instructions & when to compromise • Party preference
on type size.
How to vote 10 point How to vote How to vote How to vote How to vote How to vote
? These ballots look funny. Yes, they do. They are missing party preferences, “write-ins”
• Everything else
& races are completely in the wrong order & sometimes repeated. These were delivered
from Hart as samples, meant to give you a general feeling of the formatting.
Use a dark blue or black Use a dark blue or black Use a dark blue or black Use a dark blue or black Use a dark blue or black Use a dark blue or black
ink pen to completely ink pen to completely ink pen to completely ink pen to completely ink pen to completely ink pen to completely
fill in the box to the left fill in the box to the left fill in the box to the left fill in the box to the left fill in the box to the left fill in the box to the left
of your choice. of your choice. of your choice. of your choice. of your choice. of your choice.
Vote for one in each race. Vote for one in each race. Vote for one in each race. Vote for one in each race. Vote for one in each race. Vote for one in each race.
If you vote for more than If you vote for more than If you vote for more than If you vote for more than If you vote for more than If you vote for more than
one, no votes will be one, no votes will be one, no votes will be one, no votes will be one, no votes will be one, no votes will be
counted for that race. counted for that race. counted for that race. counted for that race. counted for that race. counted for that race.
If you make a If you make a If you make a If you make a If you make a If you make a
mistake mistake mistake mistake mistake mistake
Option 1 Option 1 Option 1 Option 1 Option 1 Option 1
Option 2 Option 2 Option 2 Option 2 Option 2 Option 2
Option 3 Option 3 Option 3 Option 3 Option 3 Option 3
Draw a line through the Draw a line through the Draw a line through the Draw a line through the Draw a line through the Draw a line through the
entire measure response entire measure response entire measure response entire measure response entire measure response entire measure response
or candidate’s name. or candidate’s name. or candidate’s name. or candidate’s name. or candidate’s name. or candidate’s name.
Then you may make Then you may make Then you may make Then you may make Then you may make Then you may make
another choice. another choice. another choice. another choice. another choice. another choice.
Optional write-in Optional write-in Optional write-in Optional write-in Optional write-in Optional write-in
or write-in write-in or write-in write-in
To vote for a candidate To vote for a candidate To vote for a candidate To vote for a candidate To vote for a candidate To vote for a candidate
not listed for that race, not listed for that race, not listed for that race, fill not listed for that race, not listed for that race, not listed for that race, fill
fill in the box to the left of fill in the box to the left in the box to the left of the fill in the box to the left of fill in the box to the left in the box to the left of the
“or write-in” and print the of “write-in” and print the dashed line and print the “or write-in” and print the of “write-in” and print the dashed line and print the
name on the dashed line. name on the dashed line. name of the candidate. name on the dashed line. name on the dashed line. name of the candidate.
Start voting here Start voting here Start voting here

24. New template + images

25. New template + images

26. Project kinks
Only 4 counties could use new templates for 2010 General
Ballot templates produced enormous files,
took 5x as long to produce
Ballot templates required larger paper sizes
Vendor not responsive during ballot production time
Not all counties used SOS / D4D images as intended

27. Project praise
“The most important things for us: is the voter less confused?
Are they getting it? If only 10 voters have a better experience,
it is definitely worth it for us.
”
Nissa Burger, Chelan County
“Despite the kinks, we love the look and will continue using
the new templates. We have had positive feedback from our
local candidates and party members. ”
Carolyn Myers, Cowlitz County

28. Session takeaway review
Washington was primed to make ballot design improvements
Unprecedented collaboration among LEOs,
design professionals & vendor
While there were kinks, project was a huge step forward
& the work will continue