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What’s next in designing mail ballot envelopes

Whitney Quesenbery and Grace Oh

Center for Civic Design

@civicdesign

Election Mail Workshop�May 19, 2022

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Envelope design basics

What helps with getting the ballots to voters and back to the elections office, ready to count,

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We’ve made a lot of progress

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Text voters can actually see

I, the undersigned, do swear (or affirm) that as a citizen of the United States and of the State of Hamilton; that my Franklin caount residence address, for voting purposes. is as listed below; that I possess the qualifications of an elector; that I am entitled to vote in the precinct containing my residence in the upcoming primary or election; that I have not, nor will I mark or mail any other absentee ballot, nor will I vote therein in person. I understand the instructions and that the offer or acceptance of money or any other object of value to vote for any particular candidate, list of candidates, issue, or list of issuesincluded in this election constitutes an act of voter fraud and is a felony under Hamilton law.

6.5 points 9 points 11 points

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Information in plain language

Making ballot envelopes clear and understandable: The impact of plain language on voter signature forms

https://civicdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/VBM-Signature-Statements-CCD-final-2021-01-19.pdf

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How plain could a voter statement be?

Post-graduate

I opened the envelope marked “ballot within” and marked the ballot(s) in the presence of the witness, without assistance or knowledge on the part of anyone as to the manner in which I marked it.

Early primary

I opened my envelope and marked my ballot in the presence of the witness. I marked my ballot in secret without help.

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How plain could a voter statement be?

Middle school

I, the undersigned voter, declare that the enclosed ballot or ballots contained no voting marks of any kind when I received them, and I caused the ballot or ballots to be marked, enclosed in the identification envelope, and sealed in such envelope.

To the best of my knowledge and belief, I declare under penalty of election falsification that:

I [name] am a registered voter in [name] County;
I reside in the State of Hamilton at: [address]
I have voted the enclosed ballot and am returning it in compliance with Nebraska law; and
I have not voted and will not vote in this election except by this ballot.

I also understand that failure to sign below will invalidate my ballot.

Early primary

I declare that

• the enclosed ballot or ballots were blank when I received them

• I marked and packed my ballot or ballots myself

• I am qualified to vote in Nebraska at the address below

• I will follow all of Hamilton’s election laws

I understand that I must sign below for my ballot to count.

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Sufficiently!

I, the undersigned, do swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States and of the State of Georgia; that I possess the qualifications of an elector required by the laws of the State of Georgia; that I am entitled to vote in the precinct containing my residence in the primary or election in which this ballot is to be cast; that I am eligible to vote by absentee ballot; that I have not marked or mailed any other absentee ballot, nor will I mark or mail another absentee ballot for voting in such primary or election; nor shall I vote therein in person; and that I have read and understand the instructions accompanying this ballot; and that I have carefully complied with such instructions in completing this ballot. I understand that the offer or acceptance of money or any other object of value to vote for any particular candidate, list of candidates, issue, or list of issues included in this election constitutes an act of voter fraud and is a felony under Georgia law.

I, the undersigned, do swear (or affirm) that

• I am a citizen of the United States and of the State of Georgia.

• I am not currently serving a sentence for conviction of a felony.

• I reside at the address where I am registered to vote.

• I am eligible to vote by absentee ballot.

• I have not marked or mailed any other absentee ballot, nor shall I vote in person.

• I have marked and sealed this ballot in private and have not allowed any unauthorized person to observe me voting or how the ballot was voted.

• I will not give this ballot to any person not authorized by law to deliver or return ballots.

I understand the instructions and that the offer or acceptance of money or any other object of value to vote for any particular candidate, list of candidates, issue, or list of issues included in this election constitutes an act of voter fraud and is a felony under Georgia law.

You must personally sign this oath. Signing this oath on behalf of another voter and/or providing false information on this envelope violates Georgia law and is punishable by a fine up to $100,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

New text

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Making complex ID rules clearer

Pale yellow background

Boxes for numbers

OR for options

AND + OR

Copy of an ID

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Bilingual layouts

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Bilingual layouts

Oath of person assisting voter

I, the undersigned, do swear (or affirm) that I assisted the voter

named on this envelope in marking their absentee ballot as they personally communicated their preferences to me; and that the voter is entitled to receive assistance in voting under provisions of subsection (b) of Code Section 21-2-385. I acknowledge that assisting a voter who is not eligible for assistance in completing this application violates state law and is punishable by a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

Printed name of person assisting the voter / �Nombre impreso del persona que asiste al elector

Signature of person assisting the elector (if any)

Firma del persona que asiste al elector (si lo hubiera)

X

Date / Fecha

Reason for assistance / Razón de la asistencia

Unable to read English / No puedo leer en Inglés
Due to physical disability / Por discapacidad física

Oath of person assisting voter

I, the undersigned, do swear (or affirm) that I assisted the voter

named on this envelope in marking their absentee ballot as they personally communicated their preferences to me; and that the voter is entitled to receive assistance in voting under provisions of subsection (b) of Code Section 21-2-385. I acknowledge that assisting a voter who is not eligible for assistance in completing this application violates state law and is punishable by a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

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Bilingual+ layouts

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What’s next?

What’s the next step in making the vote by mail easier to administer and a great voter experience?

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What are your top 3 needs for envelope design

What is most important to your process?

Or

Any challenges that have been a big problem?

Or

Anything missing that could make you even more successful?

Election office

Mail-house or other vendor

Nonprofit or researcher

Sticky note color

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Take a few minutes to read the wall

What resonates with you?

If you want to expand or amplify any point, grab another sticky note and add it to the cluster.

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It’s voting time

Everyone get 6 dots.

�Pick the color that matches your role again

Put a dot on any of the issues we’ve raised that are priorities for you.

Election office

Mail-house or other vendor

Nonprofit or researcher

Dot color

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Let’s talk!

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Beyond the logo

Could there be a national design for election mail?

Can we find common ground that is still flexible enough for jurisdictional differences?

What best practices could be the basis for a north star on excellence in election mail design?

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Thank you��Whitney Quesenbery�Grace Oh�whitneyq | grace @civicdesign.org��civicdesign.org/projects/vote-by-mail/�@civicdesign�

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