Direct Contact Methods
Direct contact methods of informing voters on voting issues vary in complexity and costs, from the simple method of meetings to sophisticated electronic systems.
It is important to recognize the advantages that direct contact methods have in accessing cost-effectiveness i.e., there is a guarantee that information is going to its intended target. The reliability and target population coverage that can be achieved by delivery systems for direct contact methods needs to be carefully considered when assessing appropriateness.
Personal Contact
• simple direct personal contact through meetings or information centers may be a highly appropriate voter information focus in areas or societies with poor media penetration and particularly of lower literacy.
• use of personal contact is generally the single most dependable method by which voter information can be imparted to all levels of society in areas where literacy levels are low;
• in other environments, direct contact methods in general are a useful complement to broader media use;
• provision of some personal contact facility will allow explanation of more complex issues and interactive response to voter questions and concerns;
• when using direct personal contact methods provide staff with standard question-and-answer sheets for common voter information questions and concerns to assist consistency of information imparted.
Meetings
• mass or targeted meetings of voters can be used to provide some basic information concepts, such as how and when to vote, but may be less successful in providing information on where to vote, unless targeted to distinct geographic communities.
• meetings can be a most effective front-line information tool where mass media accessibility is poor.
• use of civic and voter educators in this information role provides a skilled staffing base.
• targeted meetings can be a more effective means than other media for reaching small groups of voters with specific information needs such as small minorities using different languages and the visually or aurally impaired.
In environments where voting, or the system of voting to be used, may be an unfamiliar experience, informing voters of the correct procedures for voting may best be achieved through a simulated activity of the voting process.
Although such an activity is better place in a voter education exercise if you consider using it for voter information considers the following:
• civic educators and voting operations staff trainers may be appropriate persons to conduct such activities.
• a simulated exercise is effective but when undertaken on a comprehensive scale requires considerable organizational and management skill and the availability and training of a large pool of skilled educators.
• ensure that there can be no perception of political bias in the manner in which people are shown how to vote, nor any involvement of political parties or candidates in this official information process.
Use of Inquiry Centers
Use of voting operations administration offices at the local and regional levels or specially designated inquiry centers for in-person voting information inquiries provides a facility more responsive to individual voting information needs.
While less pro-active and cost-effective than organizing meetings, and often of using printed information, their strength lies in the breadth and detail of information that can be provided and their effectiveness in media-deficient and less literate areas. Staffing such facilities can be a considerable drain on trained resources where voter information personnel are in short supply. If this method is being considered for use, the ability to effectively staff such centers needs to be carefully examined.
Locations for inquiry centers are better targeted to mass population movement centers, such as transport hubs, shopping or market areas, or special events. Staff used in such centers should receive training both in voting procedures and effective interviewing skills.
Telephone Information Services
Telephone information services can be used before and during voting day to provide specific answers to voters’ questions. Their effectiveness will depend on the penetration and reliability of telephone services. Costs of hiring and training additional staff for such services and whether additional premises and telephone equipment is required for reasonable service will determine if they are cost-effective.
Advice on Correct Voting Station
Providing print information directly to voters on the location of their voting stations can be useful in more literate societies. Where voter identification cards are provided to all voters for an election as further verification, these could contain information on:
• the correct voting station to attend and day and hours of voting;
• how to correctly complete the ballot.
Ability to provide information in this way will depend on the timing of the printing of voter identification cards in relation to the determination of voting sites.
Other suggested methods include:
• how to contact voting operations administrators for further information;
• the location of voting stations (including maps);
• any special voting facilities and how to access them;
• how to complete a ballot;
• contesting candidate and party information.
Situations where some voters attend the wrong voting station to vote will occur, therefore it is necessary to have facilities for redirecting such voters in place at voting stations. However, a carefully designed information program will minimize this number.
General Voting Guides
Comprehensive voting guides, pitched to the general literacy levels of the society, provided directly to voters' home addresses and/or made available in public institutions or places can provide useful, relatively cheap (compared to media buying) and comprehensive basic information on issues such as:
• how to contact voting operations administrators for further information;
• the location of voting stations (including maps);
• any special voting facilities and how to access them;
• how to complete a ballot;
• contesting candidate and party information.
These general guides can also be used to promote more specific voter information services, such as office or telephone inquiry services locations, times, and telephone numbers.
Where reliable mail services are in place delivering these guides by mail direct to voters assures access to the complete target audience. Where mail services are not reliable (or relatively expensive), using temporary election staff or other contractors for house-to-house delivery may be feasible.
Specific voter information guides are also useful to provide information on facilities available for minority groups (and any special arrangements being taken for their security, where these are necessary), the physically impaired, and groups such as security forces for whom special voting arrangements are available. Distribution of these materials through relevant community, language, medical, or support groups effectively targets the intended audience.
Voting by Mail
Provide voter information directly to voters with the mailed-out allot is essential when voting by mail. This material should, at the minimum, provide clear instructions to voters on:
• how to complete the ballot paper;
• how to complete accompanying forms containing personal information required for checking voter eligibility and/or validity of the vote;
• how to correctly seal the ballot in its envelope(s);
• the specified location to which and date by which the ballot must be returned by mail.
This information may also be required by law to include authorized statements of platforms by the candidates where the entire election is by mail.
Use of Electronic Communications
The internet is effective in directly delivering voter guides and similar information wherever possible by electronic mail (email) to registered voters has been found to be extremely useful as a communication method in highly developed societies because:
• transmission costs are negligible;
• reaching the target voter is nominally assured;
• there are no print costs to the electoral management body;
• existing infrastructure can be used.
