Design for participation
I have been enjoying the various comments and critiques on the democratic process on the transforming transformation discussion group we just went through here in the United States, and it is clear that we need to have a better way of doing things. I frame the problem as confusing voting mechanisms, whether it be paper ballots that are hard to understand, or “touchy” touch screen, or electronic voting that mimics bad paper ballots things need to change.
Some have suggested that there be a national standard ballot and that local issues be ballotted separately, but of course many people feel like this is taking away power from states and local municipalities. The argument is that “we can’t leave something up to local people who may screw it up” or worse yet “let someone like (the now infamous in some places) Susan Harris manipulate it.” While I will say that I do know that there is some very limited manipulation that goes on in some places I don’t believe it is a wide spread problem. I am a little repulsed by the notion that the huge lumbering giant that is the federal government could possibly do a better job, and that it must assume control from the people. I find it somewhat undemocratic to think that, maybe my faith in humanity is misplaced. I DO think that perhaps a hyrid approach is called for.
Let’s build on the fine work that has already been done on how to design ballots (it has been pointed out that there have already been some studies on this) and make it even better. Let’s make this a standard that is at least somewhat flexible that must be followed on the local level. Local municipalities still retain all control over the process, but what the ballot, whether paper or otherwise, looks like and how you interact with it is controlled by the design standards set forth.

I am a researcher, designer, and usability specialist. I take on contract work for new media projects of all kinds. I can be reached at +1.812.650.4050, or at aaronh [at] gmail {dot} com.