by OnSight | Dec 2015 | Elections, Graphics
99% Invisible is a really fantastic podcast that focuses on design of all kinds — from the built-in sound effects on your mobile device to urban planning, almost everything gets designed at some point in its development. And those times when it doesn’t — when a lack of intentional design is the story — well, 99PI covers those examples, too.
Ballots are an essential component to a working democracy, yet they are rarely created (or even reviewed) by design professionals. (Text from 99% Invisible, photo via Wikimedia)
Last week, 99PI did a great piece on ballots, and this one definitely falls into the latter camp. Because of the history of election management in the US (a history the podcast briefly delves into), what we see when we go to cast our vote varies enormously from county to county across the country…and is almost always developed by someone who doesn’t have the tools to think about good design.
And this can have serious implications! From ballots printed in 6-point type ALL-CAPS typefaces to the infamous “butterfly ballot” that arguably changed the course of the 2000 presidential election, 99% Invisible makes the case that good design is ignored at our peril…in elections as in everything else our society takes on.
by OnSight | Apr 2015 | Colorado County Clerks Association, Elections
Sure, Colorado tops other states when it comes to natural beauty, craft beer, hiking and biking trails, and oh so much more, but now, our voters are outpacing most other states too. In last year’s midterm elections, Colorado had the 3rd highest voter turnout. Our county clerks and elections staffers deserve major kudos for helping facilitate such a feat of democracy.
Colorado had the third-highest voter turnout in the nation in November’s midterm election, according to a report released this week. Voter turnout in the state reached 54.5 percent of the eligible voting-age population, trailing only Maine, with 58.5 percent turnout, and Wisconsin, with 56.9 percent turnout. The report was released Wednesday by the group Nonprofit Vote. Tiffany Parker, La Plata County clerk and recorder, said voting reforms passed in 2013 along with tightly fought races helped drive voters to cast ballots last year. The state Legislature authorized mail voting statewide and same-day registration. Voters were able to correct outdated or incorrect information on their voting profiles right up to Election Day.
by OnSight | Mar 2015 | Elections, Graphics
We’ve known the results of the 2014 election for some time, but results on voter turnout and voter behavior under Colorado’s all-mail ballot voting system are just now beginning to come in. The headlines: turnout in Colorado is incredible, and voters prefer to return their ballots in person rather than through the mail, particularly in more populated areas.
by OnSight | Nov 2014 | Elections, politics, Web Communications
Search for drop box locations near you.
You can vote today or up until 7 pm tomorrow at a Voter Service Center near you!
Important notes:
- Vote your ballot and drop it off, it’s too late to mail
- Drop off your ballot before 7 p.m. Tuesday; late ballots will not be counted
- Find all drop off locations for your county at www.MyColoradoVote.com
- Check out convenient new 24/hour ballot drop boxers and drive-up drop boxes in some counties
If you don’t have a ballot or made a mistake and need to fill out a new one — even if you’re worried you’re not even registered! — you can visit a Voter Service Center all the way through 7 pm on Election Day to register and fill out a ballot. Find the closest Vote Center to you at www.MyColoradoVote.com.
by OnSight | Sep 2014 | Colorado County Clerks Association, Elections, Web Communications
Search and sort by county and location type.
It’s never too early to plan for election day — ballots will be here before we know it! Mail ballots will be sent to all eligible voters, and you can choose how to return your ballot: by dropping it off at a ballot box or by returning it in the mail. Either way, ballots must be received by your County Clerk no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day (November 4th) to be counted.
MyColoradoVote.com is now updated with a complete listing of all ballot drops locations in Colorado with a nifty interactive map that lets you search by county, as well as quickly find out which locations have 24-hour ballot drops and which will let you register (which you can do up to and including Election Day). The site is a project from the bipartisan Colorado County Clerks Association to serve as your resource for non-partisan and reliable voting information.
Find 24 hour ballot drop locations.
The site also includes:
- Important Voting Dates and Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions on voting, elections, ID and residency requirements in Colorado.
- Tips on Marking Your Ballot to make sure your vote is counted
For more Colorado election info and to find the polling place closest to you, check out MyColoradoVote.com.
