Vote.gov is a vital government platform that provides U.S. citizens with access to voter registration and election-related information. However, the original site faced significant challenges in usability, accessibility, and functionality. As the UI Designer on the project, I was tasked with reworking key components of the website to improve the user experience, address accessibility issues, and ensure that the site was both functional and user-friendly for a diverse audience, including people with disabilities and non-English speakers.
THE CHALLENGE
The existing Vote.gov site faced several challenges that hindered its usability:
Poor Navigation: The site’s layout was outdated and cluttered, making it difficult for users to find relevant voting information quickly.
Lack of State-Specific Information: There was no clear, efficient way to access voting rules and deadlines specific to each state, which created confusion for users.
Accessibility Issues: The site was not compliant with Section 508 standards, meaning users with disabilities had difficulty accessing essential information and interacting with the site.
Inefficient User Flow: Key actions, such as registering to vote or finding voting deadlines, were not streamlined, leading to a frustrating user experience.
These challenges required a comprehensive redesign of the site’s core components to improve both its visual appeal and functionality.
THE GOAL
The goal was to redesign key UI components to:
Simplify navigation and improve user flow.
Provide easy access to state-specific voting information.
Ensure the site met Section 508 accessibility standards.
Create a user-centered interface that streamlined common tasks like voter registration and accessing election deadlines.
THE PROCESS
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Discovery + Stocktaking
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Rapid Prototyping + Wireframing
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Accessibility
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Delivery
Prototyping + Wireframes
Once the discovery phase was complete, I moved to wireframing and prototyping key components of the site:
Navigation Overhaul: I created wireframes for an updated navigation structure that would simplify the process of finding key information. This included a clearer menu with categories like “Register to Vote,” “State-Specific Information,” and “Election Deadlines.”
State-Specific Voting Information: I designed a state selection tool where users could easily choose their state and instantly access relevant voting information, such as registration deadlines, voting requirements, and absentee ballot procedures.
Streamlined User Flow: I designed wireframes for the voter registration flow, breaking it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps. The process was designed to minimize user effort, ensuring that people could quickly register based on their state’s requirements.