election administrators toolkit
TRANSCRIPT
Election Administrators ToolkitFree & low-cost tech solutions
2015 Midwest Election Officials Conference Bridging Today With TomorrowKansas City, Missouri | Thursday, October 1 | #MEOC2015
#MEOC2015
Who is in the room?Whitney [email protected]@whitneymaybe
Tiana [email protected]@tianaej
Kurt [email protected]
The Center for Technology and Civic LifeUsing technology to improve how local government and communities interact.
@HelloCTCL
www.techandciviclife.org
ELECTricity
A learning community of election officials who believe that technology can improve our democracy.
Why reinvent the wheel?
Tools to effectively communicate with voters
Let’s dive in
Today’s session
1. Using mobile technology
2. Prioritizing content
3. Writing in plain language
After this session, you will:• Understand why technology is important
when communicating election information.
• Know how to best publish election information online.
• Have additional tech resources to modernize your office’s communication.
Make your information available on any device
Use mobile technology
Use mobile technology to share election information 1. Why is mobile important?2. What are common mobile terms?3. Breakout exercise4. Report back to the group5. Additional mobile tech resources
The rise of mobile tech
How we use cell phones
• 81% of owners use their phones to send or receive text messages.
• 60% of owners use their phones to go online.
• 50% of owners use their phones to download apps.
Common mobile terms Responsive Web Design
RWD creates an optimized viewing experience, like easy reading and navigation, across any device.
Mobile website
A mobile website is developed specifically for a fast and efficient experience on mobile devices. Pages load quickly, content is usually in a list format, and visuals are simplified.
Web app
A web app is software that runs a task in a web browser. Example: Google Maps on your computer.
Native app
A native app is built for a certain mobile device. Downloaded directly to the device, usually from an app store.
SMS Short Message Service sends text messages to a mobile phone; a smartphone is not required.
Breakout #1
What apps or websites do you visit most on your phone?
What do you like about them?
What frustrates you about them?
Report back
SMS
Mobilewebsite
Mobile app
Mobile tech resources
•Google Developers’ Mobile Guide https://developers.google.com/webmasters/mobile-sites/
•Voting Information Projectwww.votinginfoproject.org/projects/
Mobile tech resources •EAC Quick Start Guides – Strengthen Voter Education Programs
www.eac.gov/election_management_resources/ quick_start_guides.aspx
•CTCL Website Template & Trainingwww.techandciviclife.org/website-trainings/
What information are voters looking for online?
Prioritize content
Prioritize your online content
1. Breakout exercise2. Report back to the group3. What research tells us about the types of
questions voters are asking online4. How your online presence can best meet your
voters’ needs5. Tools to understand what information your
voters are looking for
Your website should reflect voters’ questions, rather than how your office’s work is organized.
Breakout #2
What are voters’ top 5 questions?
Rank them in order of importance to voters.
Report back
#1What’s on the ballot?
#2What are my options for where and how to vote?
#3When is the next election? Other key dates?
#4How do I contact my election official?
#5What happens at the polling place?
Tools for voter research in your own jurisdiction
Community survey
http://chicagocompletestreets.org/
Focus group
Victoria Lungu / CC BY
Web analytics
Make a plan• Who are you trying to reach?• What are their needs?• What are their pain points?• Are you answering their basic
questions?• Are you speaking to them in language
they can understand?
Voter communication resources• CTCL Website Template & Training
• Field Guides from the Center for Civic Design:www.civicdesign.org
• Google Analytics: www.google.com/analytics
• Google Forms: https://docs.google.com/forms
Help everyone read, understand, and use your information
Write in plain language
Write election information in plain language 1. What is plain language?2. Why is it important?3. Breakout exercise4. Report back to the group5. Additional plain language resources
Before:
If that oval is not marked, your vote cannot be counted for the candidate.
After:
You must fill in the oval for your vote to count.
Source: Center for Civic Design
Plain language principles
• Write in the positive• Use the active voice• Write directly to the reader• Include straightforward, familiar terms• Use short words and short sentences• List important information separate
from paragraph text
Plain language edits
Instead of:
Adopting a collaborative approach to coordinating the utilization of office equipment would be much appreciated by the office staff.
Use:
Let’s work as a team to coordinate the use of office equipment.
Source: PEI Literacy Alliance
Why is plain language important?
• Reaches people with low literacy.• Avoids misunderstandings.• Saves your office time and money.
Plain design principles
• Align text to the left of the page.
• Use a font that is clear and easy to read.
• Organize text to create white space on the page.
Breakout #3
Write information in plain language
If you tear, or deface, or wrongly mark this ballot, return it and obtain another. Do not attempt to correct mistakes on the ballot by making erasures or cross outs. Erasures or cross outs may invalidate all or part of your ballot. Prior to submitting your ballot, if you make a mistake in completing the ballot or wish to change your ballot choices, you may obtain and complete a new ballot. You have a right to a replacement ballot upon return of the original ballot.
Report back
Plain language edits
Instead of:If you tear, or deface, or wrongly mark this ballot, return it and obtain another. Do not attempt to correct mistakes on the ballot by making erasures or cross outs. Erasures or cross outs may invalidate all or part of your ballot. Prior to submitting your ballot, if you make a mistake in completing the ballot or wish to change your ballot choices, you may obtain and complete a new ballot. You have a right to a replacement ballot upon return of the original ballot.
Use:If you make a mistake, ask a poll worker for another ballot.
Source: Center for Civic Design
5 steps for plain writing1. Identify and describe your target audience.2. Write the content in plain language.3. Structure the content to guide the reader
through it.4. Use plain design to help the readers see and
understand.5. Test with your audience.
www.centerforplainlanguage.org
Plain language resources
• CTCL training & website template
• Field Guides from the Center for Civic Designwww.civicdesign.org
• Center for Plain Language checklist www.centerforplainlanguage.org
CTCL Website Training Program
1/3
Before After
www.elections.inyocounty.us
Professional development opportunities with CTCL• In-person training at your office
• Online workshop with a small group
October 21 – October 23 December 2 – December 4 January 12 – January 14
• Self-paced online course
www.techandciviclife.org/website-trainings
2016 Civic Engagement Toolkit
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