Design for Democracy : Ballot and Election Design

by Lausen, Marcia

• ISBN13: 9780226470467
• ISBN10: 0226470466
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-10-22
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr

Summary

In November 2000, when the now-infamous "butterfly ballot" confused crucial Florida voters during a hotly contested presidential race, the importance of well-designed ballots to a functioning democracy caught the nation's attention. Recognizing that our entire voting processfrom registering to vote to following instructions at the polling placecan be almost as confusing as the Florida ballot,Design for Democracybuilds on the lessons of 2000 by presenting innovative steps for redesigning elections in the service of citizens. Handsomely designed itself, this volume showcases adaptable design models that can improve almost every part of the election process by maximizing the clarity and usability of ballots, registration forms, posters and signs, informational brochures and guides, and even administrative materials for poll workers.Design for Democracyalso lays out specific guidelinescovering issues of color palette, typography, and image usethat anchor the comprehensive election design system devised by the group of design specialists from whose name the book takes its title. This group's prototypes and recommendations have already been used successfully in major Illinois and Oregon elections and, collected here, are likely to spread across the country as more people become aware of the myriad benefits and broad applicability of improved election design. An essential tool for designers and election officials, lawmakers and citizens,Design for Democracyharnesses the power of design to increase voter confidence, promote government transparency, and, perhaps most important, create an informed electorate.

Author Biography

Marcia Lausen a founding member of Design for Democracy, is professor of graphic design at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Table of Contents

Ballot design

Design + the voting experience

Design + election administration

Election design system

Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.