Design for Democracy is a strategic project of AIGA and UPA
designfordemocracy.aiga.org |
usabilityprofessionals.org/upa_projects/voting_and_usability
An introduction to ethics in voting design and usability
Usability and design professionals are becoming interested in creating elections materials and
voting systems. The affinity is natural: the professionals who make systems easier for all to use
want to eliminate barriers to exercising citizen rights and responsibilities.
Because elections are the foundation of any democracy, the systems that surround elections also
attract the scrutiny of diverse, often conflicting, sets of people.
Stakeholders in Democracy
Broadly divided, elections in most democracies involve these key constituencies.
1. The Citizens
Citizens want election systems that are easy to use, accessible and fair. Fairness often
includes transparency in the process: Voters want to know that the vote counting
process is unbiased and accurate – and they need to see that fact for themselves. The
same applies to the vote registration process, and any other related tasks they are
expected to complete in order to cast a vote.
2. The Candidates and Political Parties
Candidates may be divided into two categories: the uninitiated and the experienced.
Often, the experienced will include current officeholders. Both groups must register for
office, campaign and watch the polls on Election Day. Those who do not currently hold
office may be especially sensitive to systems that appear to favor the incumbent.
Experienced candidates and officeholders often have learned how to leverage current
systems. Both candidates and parties will carefully analyze proposed changes to existing
systems for risks and rewards.
3. The Election Officials
Election officials are responsible for the infinite number of details involved with
conducting elections. These are the people, both elected and appointed, who must
register voters, set up the polls, know and follow complex laws to conduct and count the
election. If a system is diffic