Election Administrators Toolkit Free & low-cost tech solutions 2015 Midwest Election Officials Conference Bridging Today With Tomorrow Kansas City, Missouri | Thursday, October 1 | #MEOC2015

#MEOC2015

Who is in the room? Whitney Tiana Kurt Sampsel

The Center for Technology and Civic Life Using technology to improve how local government and communities

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 exercise 4.Report back to the group 5.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

Mobile website

Mobile app

Mobile tech resources Google Developers’ Mobile Guide Voting Information Project

Mobile tech resources EAC Quick Start Guides – Strengthen Voter Education Programs quick_start_guides.aspx CTCL Website Template & Training

WHAT INFORMATION ARE VOTERS LOOKING FOR ONLINE? Prioritize content

Prioritize your online content 1.Breakout exercise 2.Report back to the group 3.What research tells us about the types of questions voters are asking online 4.How your online presence can best meet your voters’ needs 5.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

#1 What’s on the ballot?

#2 What are my options for where and how to vote?

#3 When is the next election? Other key dates?

#4 How do I contact my election official?

#5 What happens at the polling place?

Tools for voter research in your own jurisdiction

Community survey

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: Google Analytics: Google 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 exercise 4.Report back to the group 5.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 writing 1.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.

Plain language resources CTCL training & website template Field Guides from the Center for Civic Design Center for Plain Language checklist

CTCL WEBSITE TRAINING PROGRAM

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BeforeAfter

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

Let’s talk shop. Visit our table.

@HelloCTCL Thank you & the Johnson County Election Office.