Improving the voting system in the US

problem space

Increase participation and help a newly eligible voter understand what and how of a complex voting system

our take / approach

Understanding context >> Knowing the user >> Framing insights >> Exploring concepts >> Frame solutions >> Strategy roadmap

team and role

I worked alongside 2 people on this project. While I took the lead on research design, the process was highly collaborative, with the outputs arrived at collectively during our sessions.

organisation

Institute of Design

understanding context

We used several methods to inform our understanding of the context, including trends matrix, from-to exploration, eras map, analogous models, descriptive value web and an extensive journey map.

Changing voting from a discrete set of activities, considered cumbersome, exclusionary and prone to inaccuracies, to a seamless delivery of voter related services

INITIAL FRAME

knowing the user

In 2016

42% of 18-24 year olds were not registered to vote

In 2018

18% of voters and 37% of non voters were between 18 - 29 years old

We conducted interviews among first time voters as well as non voters in the 18 - 29 age group to understand:

- Mind map for associations with voting

- Journey of last voting experience - pain points, uncertainties

- Triggers and barriers to vote

- Influencers

- Experience with the process and methods of registering and voting

framing insights and problem statements

So why does the youth not vote?

// The youth does not see the relation between voting and the impact on their future

// Not feeling represented well enough by either candidate

// A feeling of “my vote doesn’t count” and the system favors the rich and powerful

// Politics not part of discussion growing up removes voting from consideration

User observation database and insight generation

I never voted when I turned 18..I didn’t vote until I was like 27 because I never realized that it is effecting me, my life, my paycheck, my taxes, my benefits

I’m not planning to vote...what’s the point? It’s all rigged

BEHAVIORAL DESIGN

How might we increase desire to participate in the voting process

But what happens when they want to vote?

Voting is a black box

There are different methods of registration
There are different methods of voting
There are different things you will be voting on
Who are the candidates and what they stand for
How to impact the choice of candidate by voting in the primaries

What makes it hard?

// The voting process, with multiple methods of registration, casting a ballot, and aspects to be voted on, is a highly complex and overwhelming system, that the newly eligible voter has difficulty navigating.

// System expects active information seeking and high level of motivation /engagement preparation rather than allowing for passive behavior.

// News channels often focus on politics rather than giving a roadmap to voting, “other things” you are voting on are not visible.

// Influences are not always informed themselves

// Young voters are far removed / distanced from the commonly known existing mediums of information dissemination, like newspapers.

// Websites that give info in a consumable way are few and not well known

exploring concepts

IDEATION SESSION

We conducted an ideation session with our 2 "How Might We" statements through several activities. Some broad themes that came out:

- Developing a sense of community around voting

- Public commitment to vote, especially tapping social media

- Removal of mail based services

- Simplifying candidate research

- Simulations

CONCEPT CATALOGUE

Clustering individual ideas from the ideation session, we created a concept catalogue with 20 concepts.

View the entire concept catalogue here

framing solutions

2 teams ideate on the 2 "How might we" statements before sharing and building on each other's ideas

Roles - think from the perspective of a teacher, a parent, a gym trainer, and even analogous models like Uber!

Map ideas from previous exercises into a matrix of design principles, and even develop new ones.

We then scored each of the concepts

1. Against design principles

2. On impact and challenge in implementation

Based on scoring, as well as our qualitative judgements, we arrived at our final solutions, which were a combination of several concepts. A 3 part systemic solution, where each part supports the other parts, but may be implemented individually as well

plant a seed

HIGHLIGHTS

features

Civics curriculum now involves research on issues and candidates up for vote.
Debates and discussion in class create intrigue and room to discover impact of voting on self.
Simulation close to election helps understand process
Participation in poll voter competition increases overall interest

problems the solution tackles

Youth doesn't see how voting effects 'them'
Not aware of candidates or positions on issues
Don’t know what to expect from an overwhelming system

design principles

Flexible for different levels of knowledge and engagement
Make things tangible: impact on "my life" and system
Make system less overwhelming
Leverage the influencer

behavioral economics principles

Remove obstacles to action
Dial up motivation
Reduce complexity

Ms. Banks, a high school civics class teacher, asks students to read about different candidates and issues each week.

voter kit

HIGHLIGHTS

features

Next steps on how and where to cast ballot.
Sample ballot showing the candidates up for vote, along with introduction to VoteAmerica app
Friends and family coupons, badges, t-shirts, bands and other custom identifier to create feeling of community

problem it tackles