Technology can be a very effective tool for reaching and informing voters of issues related to elections. A wide range of different technologies can be used by election management bodies (EMBs) to communicate with voters.
The different applications of technology that can be used to reach voters include:
- informing voters about technology by using demonstrations and simulation exercises, onsite training and websites
- audio visual applications, including radio, television, film, audio tapes, video tapes, DVD, cinema, laser/hologram and multimedia
- telephone communications, including telephone information services, call centres and interpreter services
- Internet, including email publication, web publishing and interactivity
- technology for special needs groups, including the ones used by language services, hearing assistance and visual assistance
Technology can also be used as a means to inform voters about electoral technology used for voter registering and voting. This can address two important issues: the need to educate voters on how to use technology during the voting process, and the need to gain the voters’ acceptance of and trust in the technology.
Voter education is often approached as a voter training exercise, but given the number of voters, it may be sometimes more effective to reach the voters and inform them using the communication technology available rather than using more typical training techniques.
Since new electoral technology may affect the public, it is also important to include the public as stakeholders in the process and to gain their trust in the new system. This may entail a large-scale communication campaign to inform the voting population of the proposed changes.
Voter education
Before attempting any large-scale communication campaign, it may be desirable to use market research methods to test the proposals and its efficiency. Voter education needs are very different from staff training needs, and therefore the training opportunities can be also very different.
On the other hand, as with staff training, the complexity of the education depends on the complexity of the technology being used. As voters cannot be expected to master complex technology, it is very important that the technology used by voters is simple and easy to use in order to facilitate voters’ education.
There are several ways to educate voters about voting technology. Before voters reach the polling place, they can be reached by mass communication techniques, such as television, radio, newspapers, mail, posters and technology demonstrations. An intensified voter education effort may be especially useful where a new or unusual technology is being introduced, such as a new electronic voting system, for example.
Nevertheless, while mass communication can be used to inform voters about a new technology that is being introduced and to make known what to expect at the polling stations, it may not be sufficient for training people on how to operate technology.
This means that additional technology training may have to be provided right where it is being used by the voters in which case there may be different training options to consider.
The best option remains to provide technology that is as simple and self-explanatory as possible. Where the technology is screen-based, the screens can walk the voters through the process with simple on-screen instructions that capitalize on knowledge that many users already have, such as the use of the “enter” and “cancel” buttons, for example.
Where on-screen instructions are used, facilities need to be in place for people who might have difficulty reading them. Some people may not be able to read well or at all; others may not be able to read the national language well or at all, while others may be sight impaired or blind. Some options to consider include:
- using audio instructions (perhaps via headphones)
- using keypads with touch-readable keys
- providing instructions in a range of languages
- keeping instructions clear and simple
- providing the facility to increase the size of printed instructions
- providing staff in the polling place who can assist voters having difficulty
Other options for training voters in polling places include explanatory posters and demonstration opportunities. For example, a demonstration system could be set up at the entrance of a polling place to allow voters to try out an electronic voting system, with staff available to explain the system, before the voters proceed to complete the real thing. Audio-visual presentations could also be used at polling places to provide instructions on using technology.
No matter what primary method of voter training is used, it is advisable to provide staff in the polling place that can assist any voters who need help. There will always be some people uncomfortable with or unfamiliar with technology who will appreciate the help of a person.
Another way to reach voters is via the Internet. Information can be delivered about a wide variety of election-related topics, including elections and technology. In addition, demonstration sites can be set up to let voters try out new technology interactively, if the new technology lends itself to Internet training. However, this is unlikely to replace other mass communication techniques since, on one hand, it requires the user to be motivated enough to visit the Internet site, and on the other hand, most Internet users are likely to have relatively good technology skills and thus not need the training.
These considerations not withstanding, it may be useful to provide training or assistance to voters by Internet whenever they are able to vote from home and avoid voting places all together.
Beyond the Internet, voter education can be made available through a telephone "help desk" or call centre facility, where voters can talk one-on-one with a trained operator about using voting technology or other voting concerns.
